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Police: Woman, 26, assaulted near Rittenhouse Square

Residents of the Rittenhouse Square area said they were on edge after learning that a 26-year-old woman was sexually assaulted early Saturday by an intruder who had followed her home.

Residents of the Rittenhouse Square area said they were on edge after learning that a 26-year-old woman was sexually assaulted early Saturday by an intruder who had followed her home.

Police said the victim was walking in the 1900 block of Spruce Street, and as she approached her residence about 12:30 a.m., a man came up from behind, grabbed her by the neck, and forced her to open the door.

Once inside, the attacker sexually assaulted her. The man then fled, and the woman called police, police said.

The suspect was described as a Latino man, 25 to 30 years old, about 5 feet, 7 inches tall, and wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans, police said. No arrest has been made.

Reports that the victim was a doctor at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, could not be confirmed.

On Saturday afternoon, Nichole Cloud, walking in the block of three- and four-story brownstones, where the attack occurred, said the incident was frightening.

"Absolutely, this is very alarming, said Cloud who has lived in the upscale neighborhood a few blocks from Rittenhouse Square for about six years.

She said such incidents are rare in the neighborhood. Noting that the woman was followed on the street, Cloud said, "This is frightening."

Lorie Maher, who also lives in the neighborhood, said of the attack, "It's scary. We haven't had anything like this around here recently."

vclark@phillynews.com

215-854-5717