Police investigate two rapes reported by MIA concert-goers

Philadelphia police are investigating the unrelated rapes of two women who attended this weekend's Made in America music festival in Center City.

Early Sunday, a 22-year-old concert-goer told police she met Ankara Demir, 26, at the festival and asked to use his cell phone, said Officer Jillian Russell, a police spokeswoman. Demir allegedly told the woman she could use his phone at home, because he lived nearby on Arch Street near 20th. But once there, Demir allegedly sexually assaulted the woman, who was able to flee afterward and alert police, Russell said. Police charged Demir with rape, false imprisonment and related offenses. He was jailed on $175,000 bail and faces a Sept. 19 preliminary hearing.

In the earlier incident, a 24-year-old woman leaving the festival flagged down what she thought was a taxi about 6:30 p.m. Saturday on Spring Garden Street near 22nd, Russell said. But there already was a man in the cab's back seat, and he allegedly began sexually assaulting her as the driver continued driving, Russell said. Her attacker forced her out of the car at 10th and Catherine streets, where she called police. Her attacker also stole $41 from her, Russell said.