West Chester police are asking the public to help identify a man who allegedly assaulted a woman on a walking trail near the 500 block of Dean Street on Oct. 13.
The department has released surveillance images of the suspect captured by a neighbor's camera installed just days before the incident, according to 6ABC. The trail connects to Everhart Park and sits about a half-mile from West Chester University's campus.
The alleged assault occurred shortly before 7 p.m. that Tuesday, according to the West Chester Police Department's CrimeWatch posting. The woman was walking along the trail when an unknown man approached and assaulted her. She pushed him away and fled.
Officers received the report at approximately 7:30 p.m., according to MyChesCo.
Police Chief Joshua Lee confirmed increased patrols in surrounding parks and neighborhoods on Oct. 14 as authorities released a clearer image of the suspect, MyChesCo reported. The CrimeWatch page was updated again Oct. 16 with two additional high-quality black-and-white images.
Lee commended the woman for reporting the incident. In a statement posted to CrimeWatch, he said: "I commend the victim for their courage in reporting this incident, and I encourage everyone to exercise safe practices out in the community."
Lee's safety recommendations include walking with others when possible, staying in well-lit areas, carrying a cell phone and staying aware of surroundings. He urged residents to call 911 to report suspicious activity.
How the camera caught it
Neighbor Todd Quarfot told 6ABC that police knocked on his door the evening of the assault asking whether he had video of the area. Quarfot had installed a trail camera on a bird box just days earlier, and the camera's night-vision capability produced bright images despite the darkness, 6ABC reported.
The images provided to 6ABC show a man in a hoodie walking past a woman at around 6:45 p.m. At approximately 6:57 p.m., images appear to show the same man grabbing a woman from behind, according to the station. The homeowner later reviewed the footage and found even clearer images.
Quarfot told NBC Philadelphia he plans to install additional lighting in the area and more cameras.
Another neighbor, Jamie Paxson, told CBS News Philadelphia he searched his wooded property after hearing about the assault and alerted police to Quarfot's cameras.
Investigation remains open
The department said it continues to gather evidence. No arrest has been reported.
Anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information is asked to contact the West Chester Police Department at 610-696-2700 and reference incident number WC-26-29110.
