Suspected offender apprehended for alleged series of sexual attacks within Center City, authorities announce
In the past two weeks, Philadelphia has been shaken by a series of alleged sexual assaults, mostly in and around Center City. The assaults, which shared a similar pattern, have left the community on edge.
The suspect, identified as Dynel Walker, was arrested on August 6 in Horsham, Pennsylvania. The arrest came after an anonymous tip and multiple lines of evidence, including surveillance video, helped police locate him.
The series of attacks began on July 18, with the first alleged sexual assault reported in the 1900 block of Spruce Street. Over the next two weeks, five more incidents were reported at various times and locations, including the 2000 block of Delancey Street, the 1600 block of Waverly Street, and the 400 block of South 15th Street, among others.
Captain Margo Alleyne-Parker of the Special Victims Unit expressed her relief at Walker's arrest, stating, "We are glad that Walker has been caught. The priority for us has always been to remove this brazen individual from the streets and prevent further attacks."
Walker, who is 37 years old, has an extensive criminal background with at least 21 prior arrests. However, none of these prior arrests involved charges for sexual assault.
Investigators emphasized the role of surveillance footage, media coverage, and community cooperation in tracking down the suspect. Alleyne-Parker also mentioned that some job descriptions related to the case were vague and will need further investigation.
The arrest was made outside a Sam's Club where Walker was charging his phone. Since then, no new assaults beyond those five have been publicly confirmed as tied to this suspect, but law enforcement continues to investigate and seek additional victims and information.
The case remains a high priority for Philadelphia police given the pattern and number of attacks within a short time frame. Captain Alleyne-Parker also suggested that Walker could be responsible for additional sexual assault incidents within the city.
Resources for victims of sexual assault are available through the National Sexual Violence Resource Center and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673. The arrest of Walker offers a glimmer of hope for the community, but the investigation continues to ensure the safety of all Philadelphians.
The arrest of Dynel Walker, a suspect with a criminal past but no previous charges related to sexual assault, has brought some relief to Philadelphia's health-and-wellness community, particularly those focused on sexual health, as the alleged assaults had been a source of concern. Meanwhile, the science community and general news outlets are closely following the ongoing investigation for crime-and-justice updates, as the pattern and number of attacks within a short time frame indicate a possible ongoing threat to the city's safety.
