Police: same perp in West Philly sex assaults of 3 women

Police believe the same man is responsible for sexual assaults involving three women by gunpoint this week in the area of the city's Parkside section.

The suspect, described as a black man about 40 to 50 years old, also took valuables from the victims.

On Tuesday at Belmont and Parkside Avenues about 5:45 a.m., the man approached the victim and threatened her with a gun. He forced the woman to walk into Fairmount Park, where he sexually assaulted her and took her Beats headphones and her iPhone.

On Thursday about 4:20 a.m. at a gas station at 4800 W. Girard Ave., the suspect approached the victim, who was pumping gas, and threatened her with a gun. He forced her and another woman in the car to travel to an unknown location, where he sexually assaulted both women and then fled with $420 cash.

Anyone with information relevant to the cases can call the Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3251 or dial 911.