Police: Suspect sought after woman sexually assaulted at gunpoint on SEPTA station platform
PHILADELPHIA - Police say a woman was the victim of a violent sexual assault inside a SEPTA station in South Philadelphia early Monday morning.
The 40-year-old woman was inside the Snyder Avenue station on Broad Street with her boyfriend when police say they were approached by an armed suspect.
She and her 44-year-old boyfriend were reportedly held at gunpoint when the suspect sexually assaulted the woman on the platform around 4:30 a.m.
Police say the boyfriend can be seen with his hands up in surveillance footage obtained from SEPTA police.
Police investigating sexual assault at SEPTA station.
Prior to the reported aggravated sexual assault, police say the boyfriend had a brief encounter with the suspect.
The victim was reportedly trying on clothes when her boyfriend spotted a man with a bicycle. He lost sight of the suspect until he returned and demanded the woman perform sexual acts, according to police.
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The victim told police the suspect fled on a bicycle with a black Glock-style handgun with a black and green extended magazine. He is described as being 5 feet 6 inches tall, in his 20s and wearing a gray NASA sweatshirt.
Police say there is no indication that the victim or her boyfriend knew the suspect. The suspect is also not known to be a repeat offender, according to police.
DNA was reportedly recovered from the scene, which police hope will help lead to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to contact Philadelphia Police at 215-686-8477.
It is unconfirmed whether the SEPTA was open or closed at the time of the reported sexual assault. Police say the victim and her boyfriend arrived around 4 a.m. and were alone on the platform until the suspect approached about a half hour later.
Philadelphia SVU Captain James Kearney urged everyone to be aware of their surroundings amid recent violent crimes across the city.
"If things don't look right, go the other way," he said.
SEPTA released the following statement to address safety concerns:
"SEPTA knows that riders have concerns about safety and security on the system, and we are addressing them. We are working to increase the visibility of police officers on the system and are actively recruiting new candidates to the SEPTA Transit Police Department. Last month, SEPTA reached an agreement with the FOTP on salary increases for officers that will help with efforts to recruit and retain talented officers. In addition to traditional policing, SEPTA has added social workers to help connect members of the vulnerable population with housing and medical services. There are also new outreach specialists deployed on the Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines to reinforce the rules for riding and serve as eyes and ears for SEPTA Police. When there is an incident on the system, police have access to video from more than 28,000 cameras to aid in investigations and identify offenders."