37-Year-Old Man Wanted for Multiple Sexual Assaults in Center City, Police Report
Philadelphia law enforcement officials are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a man suspected of a series of sexual assaults in the Center City area over the past month. The man, identified as Dynel Walker, 37, resides in the 13000 block of Philmont Avenue in Somerton. Authorities believe he has committed five assaults against women as they walked or entered their homes in both Center City and South Philadelphia.
Police reported that the incidents took place over a three-week period, with the suspect’s behavior escalating significantly in recent days. On July 18, the first recorded assault occurred when a woman was walking her dog near 19th and Spruce Streets around 6:40 AM. Walker allegedly approached her and assaulted her before fleeing the scene as she screamed for help.
The following day, around 3:15 AM, another attack was reported as a woman entered her apartment near 20th and Delancey Streets. In this instance, the victim attempted to resist, resulting in injuries to her elbow and knee as she was pushed by the assailant, who managed to escape as she shouted for assistance.
Two weeks later, on August 2, a woman was walking on the 1600 block of Waverly Street at 8:15 AM when she was assaulted from behind by a man fitting Walker’s description. The following day, at approximately 1:00 AM, another woman was attacked on the 400 block of South 15th Street in a similar manner. In this case, she fought back and was able to escape, prompting her attacker to flee the area.
Less than twelve hours later, around 12:30 PM, a woman was reportedly assaulted as she opened her garage door on the 2500 block of Webster Street. Again, the assailant fled after the victim screamed for help.
According to the police, all the women provided similar descriptions of their attacker, characterizing him as a Black male, approximately 6 feet tall, with long dreadlocks or braids, sometimes styled in a ponytail.
Walker’s criminal history includes multiple arrests over the past decade for relatively minor offenses, such as drug possession and improper use of a motor vehicle. Court records indicate that he faced charges between 2011 and 2016 in Philadelphia and its suburbs. Most recently, in 2021, Walker was convicted of disorderly conduct in Bucks County, and in 2023, he pleaded guilty to identity theft and receiving stolen property in Montgomery County, receiving a five-year probation sentence.
Officials urge anyone who may have seen Walker or has any relevant information to contact 911 or report it to the Philadelphia Police Department’s Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3264 as they work diligently to apprehend the suspect and ensure community safety. Media News Source
