A 20-year-old woman dozed off on her living-room sofa in Manayunk early New Year’s morning and woke minutes later to find a stranger standing over her, exposing himself.
News Of Philadelphia reported that the same man had trailed the woman and a witness through neighborhood streets shortly after 1:30 a.m. on January 1, 2026. Though the pair never spoke to him, they told police his proximity made them uneasy, so they ducked into their residence on Cresson Street near Grape Street and locked the door.
What happened inside the home
- Around 1:55 a.m., the woman, alone on the first floor, opened her eyes to an unknown male leaning over her, genitals exposed.
- She screamed; the intruder bolted.
- After he fled, she found her purse upended on the floor; only $20 appeared missing.
The witness, upstairs on the second floor, never encountered the suspect.
How police believe he got in
Investigators think the man watched the pair enter, then found an unlocked door or window. They found no signs of forced entry.
Suspect description
- Middle-aged white male
- Dark brown hair
- Last seen wearing all-white: jacket, pants, and knit hat
- Known to frequent Manayunk bars and tow-path walks, locals told News Of Philadelphia
Investigation status
Philadelphia Police Department’s Special Victims Unit and Northwest Detectives are canvassing doorbell and business cameras along Cresson and Grape Streets. They ask anyone who saw the man between 1:30 a.m. and 2:15 a.m. to contact them.
At a Glance
- Woman, 20, woke to intruder exposing himself after being followed home
- Only cash taken: $20 from her purse
- Suspect is middle-aged, all-white clothing, familiar to Manayunk
- Why it matters: Police say the boldness of trailing victims inside raises alarm for area safety
Community reaction
Neighbors along the steep, narrow blocks voiced fresh worry.
“I’ve always felt safe here, but I’m double-checking my locks tonight,” said one Cresson Street resident who asked not to be named.
Another told News Of Philadelphia she plans to install motion lights: “If he did it once, he’ll do it again.”
Police advice
- Keep doors and windows locked even when home
- Report anyone who appears to be following on foot
- If confronted, create noise and call 911 immediately
How to help
Tips can be submitted anonymously:
- PPD SVU tip line: 215-685-3260
- Text a tip to PPDTIP (773847)
Support resources
Victims of sexual misconduct can reach:
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673
- Women Organized Against Rape Philadelphia: 215-985-3333
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center online chat
Investigators stress no detail is too small; a single camera clip or time-stamped sighting could break the case.
