PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia police have named a suspect after at least two females were grabbed by a man in Fishtown.
Noel Vargas, 29, is facing harassment and assault charges, police announced on Wednesday.
The first incident happened on Tuesday, March 25, when a woman was groped while putting a child in a car near Palmer Cemetery.
“In the moment I was just thinking, ‘I need to get away from this guy and not escalate to keep me and my child safe,'” said the 36-year-old mother who did not want to be identified.
“The fact that he seems to be very quickly escalating in his behavior and confidence is obviously very worrisome,” she added.
The second incident occurred in the 1500 block of Montgomery Avenue on Friday morning. In that incident, a doorbell camera captured screams, and then a man walking away from the screams, then back towards the screaming person.
Police and a witness confirmed a 13-year-old girl was the one heard in the video. Tori King said she and two male students ran to help.
“I heard her scream – and I used to teach, I thought they were playing – then I was like, ‘No, that’s not a little girl playing. She’s in distress,” said King.
King said she walked the 13-year-old to school as she described what happened.
“She said the guy came up behind her and grabbed her almost in a chokehold. She was so cute, she said, ‘I take self-defense, so I was able to get away.'”
Zeannalie Bobe was also there to console the victim. “My heart sank, and I was like, ‘What is he planning to do?'”she recalled.
Neighbors believe more incidents can be linked to the same person.
Anyone who may have helpful information is asked to contact police at 215-686-TIPS or submit a tip to police anonymously.
Via 6ABC