Police release sketch of Wissahickon Park assault/attempted-robbery suspect

Philadelphia Police released on Thursday a composite sketch of the man who allegedly assaulted a 51-year-old woman during an attempted robbery on Gate House Lane near McCallum St. in Chestnut Hill.

The text of the original story on the case appears below:

A 51-year-old woman was reportedly assaulted during an attempted robbery that occurred around 4:30 p.m. Friday along Gate House Lane near McCallum St. in Chestnut Hill.

Police said that the woman had been walking in the park for about a half hour when she noticed an unknown man approach her and pass by.

“Shortly after the male passed by the complainant, he approached her from behind, grabbed her by the shoulders and demanded her money,” according to the police report. “The complainant stated to him that she didn’t have any and was forced to empty her pockets.

“After not getting any money, the male pushed the complainant to the ground, began choking her around the neck, and shoved dirt in her mouth while asking for sex. After about a 10-minute struggle, the complainant was able to break free and call the police from a passerby’s cell phone.”

The suspect is described as a 6-foot tall black man between the ages of 25 and 30 with a dark complexion, large build and short curly hair. He was wearing a red polo shirt (with white lettering), tan pants and a possibly green baseball cap at the time.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call SVU at (215) 685-3251 or the tipsline at (215) 686-TIPS, text a tip to PPD TIP (773847) or send it in via the department’s website.