Reward set at $20,000 for info on city rapist

A $20,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of a serial rapist who has attacked and terrorized five victims, including students at the University of Pennsylvania, since October.

Two attacks have been near campus housing and one in Center City. The brazen assailant tried to get two of the university victims to lure other women to their apartment during a four-hour assault.

"He's a dangerous individual," said Capt. John Darby of the Special Victim's Unit, who also called the assailant a "cold and calculating" person who likely lives or works in the city and blends into the community.

Police have a sketch of the assailant and pictures of his distinctive clothing captured by bank surveillance cameras as he used ATMs to raid the victims' bank accounts after two of the assaults.

Darby joined John Apeldorn of the Citizens Crime Commission of Delaware Valley and Maureen Rush, vice president for public safety at the University of Pennsylvania, in announcing the reward.

Women need to remain vigilant about their safety even after entering a building with locked doors, Darby and Rush said. The assailant, they said, entered secured buildings in all the attacks.

Rush said that anyone in need of an escort home, whether a student or not, can call 215-898-9255 (WALK) for the service.

In all, there have been five victims - four women and one man - in three attacks. In one attack, the assailant was scared off when the victim screamed. In another attack, a female student was raped in the same apartment where her roommate was gagged and bound. In the other attack, a student was raped while her boyfriend was gagged and bound.

Last month, police released pictures of the attacker. Although the suspect's face is not discernible, the jacket has the lettering of the brand name ENYCE, a jacket made in Florida. The lettering also includes a distinctive E96, which authorities said represents the year 1996, the last year those jackets were made.

Police believe the jacket is chocolate brown with yellow lettering.

Anyone with information about the assailant is asked to contact authorities. To collect the reward money, tipsters must call the commission at 877-345-8477 (TIPS). Callers may remain anonymous and will receive a code to collect the reward.