Police: Man Raped Woman Waiting For Train In Center City
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PHILADELPHIA -
Philadelphia police have charged a man with robbing and raping a woman as she waited for a train late Wednesday night in Center City.
The alleged attack occurred just before midnight in a city-owned underground concourse on the 1500 block of Market Street, according to SEPTA officials.
According to police, a 54-year-old woman said she had just left a restaurant at 9th and Walnut Streets. She said that while she waited for the train an unknown man approached and grabbed her.
A struggle ensued and the man pushed her to the ground, took $87 cash and her cell phone, police said. He's then accused of forcefully sexually assaulting her.
The woman apparently reported the incident at SEPTA's Market East Station.
SEPTA police responded and, while surveying the area, saw a man fitting the description. He was stopped and identified as Rafiq Smith, 42, of the 5600 block of Ogontz Avenue.
Police said Smith is charged with rape, robbery, sexual assault, theft, simple assault and related offenses.
SEPTA says surveillance video shows the two together before the incident.
Some of the woman's belongings were also recovered, authorities said.
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