Philadelphia police on Friday said they were searching for the person behind a series of random machete attacks in a park popular with hikers, runners and bicyclists.<\/p>\n
Two people sustained injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening in the November attacks in Northeast Philadelphia’s Pennypack Park, police Inspector Deshawn Beaufort said at a news conference.<\/p>\n
The random nature of the violence concerned police, who stepped up patrols of the park. <\/p>\n
“It was without provocation,” Beaufort said. “He just started attempting to stab the persons while they were on the trail.”<\/p>\n
The first attack happened at 8:15 a.m. on Nov. 22 when a runner warned a bicyclist they were approaching from behind, according to a police statement.<\/p>\n
The bicyclist responded by attacking with a machete, slashing the victim’s arms and hands, police said. <\/p>\n
The second happened about 9 a.m. on Nov. 24 when the victim, walking with a companion along the park’s eponymous trail, was similarly slashed, police said.<\/p>\n
In both cases, the victims were hospitalized, police said. Their conditions were unavailable.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, a park pedestrian reported to detectives that around 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 25, a person with a similar description had yelled at her, and tried to retrieve a “an unknown object” from his bicycle, police said in Friday’s statement.<\/p>\n
“The complainant reported that the male became agitated and began yelling at her,” police said in their statement. “The complainant fled the area.”<\/p>\n
Detectives believe the person had a “machete-style knife tied to his bike,” Beaufort said.<\/p>\n
The person was described as a “medium complexion” Latino man, around 5 feet, 10 inches, and 180 pounds. He is in his 40s or 50s, or possibly 60s, and was wearing a black hoodie, all black clothing, and riding a black BMX bicycle. BMX bicycles are predominantly small.<\/p>\n
“I recommend that you do not attempt to approach this male,” he said. “Call us immediately.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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