Police interviewing E. Germantown man about series of rapes [updated]

Update: Philadelphia Police said the man being questioned is considered a suspect, and that Special Victims Unit investigators planned an afternoon press conference to discuss updates for the case, including charges.

It is unclear whether the Center City building collapse will alter those plans.

NewsWorks content partner NBC10 is reporting that Philadelphia Police served a search warrant in the 1100 block of E. Price St. early Wednesday morning and are currently interviewing a man in connection with a series of four rapes at gunpoint which have occurred in the vicinity since March.

“Police on the scene didn’t call the man a suspect but did say that they were talking to him about the crimes,” according to the NBC10 report. “Police also took a mountain bike, like the one seen on surveillance video in at least one of the attacks, and other evidence from the scene.”

This news comes just days after police held a press conference to get word out about the assaults, which are primarily occurring near East Chelten Avenue in East Germantown.

Each involved a pre-teen or teenage victim being approached on the street by a single perpetrator armed with a handgun, who forces the young women into nearby alleys or other places of low visibility.

NewsWorks will bring you more information as it becomes available.