Crime & Safety

Teen Girl Attacked Near Valley Green Inn

The 17-year-old was jogging in Fairmount Park when she was accosted by a man.

Police are seeking the public’s help in locating a man wanted in connection with an attempted sexual assault in the Wissahickon section of Fairmount Park.

The attack happened at about 8 a.m. Monday morning, when a 17-year-old girl who was going for a jog “came upon a male who basically tackled her" to the ground, said Lt. Anthony McFadden, of the Philadelphia Police Department’s Special Victims Unit.

The man attempted to sexually assault the young woman, whose identity is being withheld, but the victim was able to break free and run for help, McFadden said.

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The attack happened on the trails surrounding the Valley Green Inn, an area popular with recreation enthusiasts because of its pristine setting and isolated location.

“There’s a lot of different desolate trails,” McFadden said in describing the area.

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McFadden described the suspect as a Hispanic male between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 11 inches. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, and black pants, either sweatpants or jogging pants.  

The man is described as having “broad, muscular shoulders,” McFadden said. Because his face was obscured by the hooded sweatshirt, the victim “didn’t really get a good look at his face.”

McFadden described the attack as an isolated incident.

“This doesn’t happen often at all,” in the Wissahickon section of Fairmount Park, he said.

McFadden said the victim was able to break free and run to a group of people nearby, where she was able to obtain a cell phone to call for help.

Detectives have been canvassing the area since Monday morning, McFadden said, passing out flyers and seeking assistance.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police department’s Special Victim’s Unit at 215-685-3251.  


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