A series of sexual assaults in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood of Philadelphia have led to the arrest of 37-year-old Dynel Walker, accused of five attacks targeting women within a span of three weeks. The incidents, marked by a consistent method where the suspect approached victims from behind and groped them, occurred predominantly during late-night or early-morning hours, according to the Philadelphia Police Department. These attacks have left residents in the upscale area on edge, prompting an investigation into the suspect’s identity and motives.
Investigating the pattern of the attacks, Dr. Carole Lieberman, a board-certified psychiatrist, highlighted the alarming consistency in the suspect’s modus operandi. The repeated method of approach and the choice of times when victims were likely to be alone raised concerns about potential psychiatric issues in the suspect. Lieberman suggested that the suspect might be driven by a compulsion to continue his actions, leading to a cycle of escalating attacks.
The first incident, reported on July 18, involved a woman who was allegedly approached by a man while walking her dog at around 6:40 a.m. The attacker, who reportedly said,