Update: alleged Society Hill attacker has a court date

Willie Wyche, the North Philadelphia man arrested in July on the first of what police believe were six attacks and robberies of women in the city's Society Hill neighborhood, will have a preliminary hearing on Oct. 13 in Philadelphia Municipal Court.

Wyche, 39, was to have had a preliminary hearing today but Municipal Court Judge Wendy Pew granted the request of prosecution and defense lawyers for more time to consolidate the six cases on which Wyche has been charged since he surrendered on July 20.

Police allege that Wyche is responsible for six attacks in Society Hill between June 25 and July 6. In each case, women were attacked from behind by a man who stole their purses or wallets. None of the victims was sexually assaulted but several were choked or thrown to the ground by the attacker, police say.

Wyche has a history of arrests and convictions for robbery and burglary and he was released in May after serving 20 years in prison for the crimes.