Man Accused of Raping Woman In Center City Macy's Arrested

Philadelphia PA

24 February, 2021

9:29 AM

Description

PHILADELPHIA — A man who was accused of raping a woman in the Center City Macy's store over the weekend has been arrested, according to reports. Philadelphia police said Jaleel Uqdah, 22, has been charged with felony rape, felony aggravated assault, felony robbery, and other related charges. The incident occurred between 11:30 a.m. and 11:40 a.m. on Sunday at Macy's, 1300 Market Street. Uqdah was taken into custody at about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday after police executed a search warrant for a home on the 1200 block of North 53rd St., where Uqdah reportedly lives. The victim was in the store with her husband, who was on another level of the store, when she went to use the restroom. While in the stall, police said Uqdah jumped over the stall and attacked the woman with wooden cooking skewers used as his weapon. He also took between $60 and $80 cash from the victim, police said. After the attack, Uqdah is alleged to have left the store on foot and got on SEPTA's Market Frankford Line at 13th and Market Street at about 11:45 a.m. He was then seen leaving the SEPTA station 52nd and Market at approximately 11:54 a.m. Surveillance video from Macy's and various other cameras throughout the city released by police led to a tip being called into SVU naming the suspect as Uqdah. After further investigation, police obtained a warrant for the North 53rd Street home and Uqdah was located in the residence and arrested without incident. The investigation remains active and ongoing with the Special Victims Unit.