Police have opened an investigation into a pattern of sexual assault in Oxford Circle after two teenagers were raped after getting off at the same bus stop.
In the most recent assault, a 16-year-old girl was walking Sunday, Oct. 20, near Levick Street and Bustleton Avenue after hopping off the SEPTA Route 14 bus when a man approached her from behind and pulled her jacket over her face, authorities said.
The suspect pulled her into an alleyway, told her to be quiet and sexually assaulted her. He took her phone before fleeing the scene. The attack occurred around 10:30 p.m., police said.
Police described the suspect as a black man with a large build who was wearing gray sweatpants, white socks and black slides.
The first assault occurred at 12:15 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15. Authorities said an 18-year-old woman was walking west on the 1200 block of Levick Street after getting off at the same Route 14 stop.
Police said a man followed her and approached her from behind. He took her to the rear driveway of the 1200 block of Elbridge Street and sexually assaulted her, authorities said. He took her phone and fled the scene.
In the second case, the suspect was described as a 5-foot-8 black male between the ages of 20 and 25 with a dark complexion.
Police believe the incidents are related based on the descriptions of the suspect, the geographical proximity and modus operandi.
Anyone with information about the assaults or the suspect is asked to call the Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3264. All tips will be confidential. ••
