Woman injured after attack on Schuylkill River Trail in Center City; Suspect in custody

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A woman was injured after she was attacked along the Schuylkill River Trail in Philadelphia on Friday morning.

According to authorities, it happened on the way in Center City, not far from South Street.

Police were called around 9:15 a.m. after a woman reported she had been beaten and robbed.

According to police, the woman was out taking photos for an art project when a man approached her and tried to snatch her cell phone.

She was then reportedly thrown to the ground and beaten. The man allegedly threw her phone into the river and ran away.

The woman was taken to Jefferson University Hospital for her injuries. There is no information yet about her condition.

“It’s very disturbing. I’m sorry to hear that,” said Roger Cast, who uses the trail several times a week. “I always thought it was pretty safe.”

“Hopefully it was just a freak thing,” said Kelly Dougherty, who led the trail Friday. “You never want to be on your guard, especially when you’re alone.”

Police said they were able to locate the suspect across the river shortly after the attack.

According to investigators, the suspect had a pocket knife when he was confronted by police.

He was verbally abused, arrested and now faces multiple charges.

This incident came after several other seemingly random attacks in the city.

On Thursday, a 61-year-old man was slashed with a meat cleaver on a SEPTA bus in Spring Garden.

In another incident, police released video of a brutal attack in which suspects robbed and beat a man lying on the ground along the 1500 block of JFK Boulevard.

Action News spoke with city residents who said they were taking extra precautions knowing incidents like this were not uncommon.

“You should never be careless. Especially if you’re alone on this trail and have your headphones on, like I often do. It’s an important reminder to not make your music and yourself too loud “We’re always looking over your shoulder,” commented Fitler Square’s Kelly Dougherty.