Philadelphia, PA – A 37-year-old man identified as Dynel Walker has been arrested in connection with a series of sexual assaults reported across Center City and South Philadelphia over the past two weeks.
Walker was apprehended outside a Sam’s Club on Welsh Road in Upper Moreland Township while charging his phone. According to the Philadelphia Police Department, an anonymous tip helped identify him as the suspect.
Police initially reported five assaults, but during a press conference Wednesday, officials confirmed a sixth incident had taken place early Sunday morning at 17th and Lombard Streets.
In that case, a woman walking home from a bar was reportedly groped and shoved against a vehicle. She managed to break free and flee.
Authorities say the first assault occurred on July 18 near the 1900 block of Spruce Street. The suspect allegedly greeted a woman walking her dog with, “Good morning, beautiful,” before sexually assaulting her.
Another incident took place just after 3 a.m. on July 19 on the 2000 block of Delancey Street. A woman trying to enter her apartment was assaulted, with the suspect allegedly pushing her, causing her to fall.
Three more assaults were reported the weekend of July 27–28:
July 27, 8:15 a.m. – Waverly Street, woman groped.
July 28, 1:00 a.m. – 400 block of S. 15th Street, woman attacked while walking to her car.
July 28, 12:30 p.m. – 2500 block of Webster Street, another woman was assaulted.
Captain Margo Alleyne-Parker of the Special Victims Unit stated that in each case, the attacker approached the victims from behind and groped them. “In some instances, things may have gone a little further,” she noted.
Walker has 21 prior arrests, though none previously involved sexual assault. Investigators are now exploring whether he may be connected to other recent assaults and urge any additional victims to come forward.
