A sixth victim has reported being grabbed and fondled while walking in Fairfax County, Franconia Police said Wednesday.
Detectives were canvassing a Springfield neighborhood Oct. 4., circulating the composite sketch of the man believed responsible for the series of assaults when a 25-year-old woman told them she too had been attacked.
She told detectives that sometime between Sept. 9 and 13, she was walking on on Cumberland Drive near the Commerce Street bus stop when a man approached her from behind, grabbed and groped her before fleeing.The incident happened around 7:30 p.m.
The victim described the suspect as white, between 5'6" and 5'8." She said he was wearing blue pants and a white T-shirt.
This is the sixth case reported since Sept. 7, and police believe they are linked. They also said they believe there could be other cases, and that any victim of the groper should contact police.
“Any time we receive additional information from the public it’s helpful,” Fairfax County police spokeswoman Lucy Caldwell said. “And we did believe there may be other people out there who, just like this woman, for whatever reason chose not to report it.”
A sketch of the suspect was released last week, shortly after a fifth victim came forward.
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In that case, a 40-year-old woman was walking along Hibbing Avenue near Exmore Street in Springfield when she heard someone behind her. As she turned, the suspect grabbed her and groped her as she struggled. He then fled the scene.
That victim described the suspect as Hispanic, in his 30s, 5'8", with dark eyes and a neatly trimmed beard. She said he wore a black and white bandana with designs on it, black nylon pants with two blue stripes down the sides, a blue long sleeved shirt and black shoes.
In three earlier cases, the suspect was reportedly wearing a red baseball cap without a logo on it.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, send an anonymous email here, or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637.
