What to Know
- A law enforcement source confirmed with NBC10 that a man accused of beating and raping a woman at Philadelphia's Love Park was taken into custody.
- The assault occurred back on Jan. 25 around 5:20 a.m. on the west side of Love Park near John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
- The 41-year-old victim was headed to work and taking a shortcut through the park when the suspect approached her from behind, police said.
UPDATE: The suspect has been convicted. New details here.
A man accused of beating and raping a woman at Philadelphia’s Love Park is now in custody, a law enforcement source confirmed with NBC10.
Quindell Campbell, 23, was arrested in his North Philadelphia home and is charged with rape, sexual assault, aggravated assault and related charges, Philadelphia Police Special Victims Unit Capt. Mark Burgmann said.
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The assault occurred back on Jan. 25 around 5:20 a.m. on the west side of Love Park near John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
Burgmann said the PPD worked with both SEPTA police and the FBI during their investigation. They retraced surveillance video and found that Campbell had been walking around the area since around 11 p.m. the night prior, apparently looking for a victim.
The 41-year-old victim was headed to work and taking a shortcut through the park when the suspect approached her from behind, police said.
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"The offender came up behind her, punched her several times and knocked her to the ground," Burgmann said. "The offender then proceeded to sexually assault and rape our victim."
Several people heard the woman's screams from the park and called 911. The first officers to arrive at the park spotted the suspect and began pursuing him, Burgmann said.
The man ran down 15th Street to a set of escalators leading to the underground SEPTA concourse. He tried to hide from police on a ledge, Burgmann said.
"When police struggled with that male in an attempt to take him into custody, he dropped approximately 25 feet to the concourse below," Burgmann said.
The man was able to evade capture, but appeared to be injured. Surveillance video from the concourse shows the man stumbling and falling while attempting to run away.
When police arrested Campbell, they noticed he was carrying an injury that could be related to the fall, Burgmann said.
The woman did not suffer life-threatening injuries, according to police.
Burgman said Campbell returned home after the attack and carried on with his regular routine. "He's been here before and afterward, and it seems like he's not affected," the captain said.
He had also altered his look, Burgmann added. In surveillance footage, the suspect appears to have long dreadlocks, but Campbell's mug shot showed him with short hair.
Burgmann said Campbell did not have a prior criminal record, but police are now investigating whether he was also responsible for a number of other sexual assaults. They will use a sample of his DNA to see if it matches DNA found in other rape cases, Burgmann said.
Love Park, also known as John F. Kennedy Plaza, sits diagonal to Philadelphia City Hall and is home to Robert Indiana's most famous LOVE statue. The park is brightly lit and not under heavy tree cover. It was rededicated last year after a complete overhaul that removed alcoves and other groves that reduced sight-lines.
The Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5 had offered a $5,000 reward for the arrest of the attacker.
“We need to get this brazen menace off the streets right away,” FOP President John McNesby said. “This attack right in the heart of Center City is alarming and disturbing.”
Correction (Thursday, Feb. 2, 2020): Police said Campbell returned home after the rape and apparently went about his regular routine.
