Cops looking for attacker in brutal assault behind Olney deli

Employees of an Olney deli told police that they saw a man beating a naked woman unconscious Wednesday night when they went out back to dump the trash.

The man, who fled when the workers came outside, had sexually assaulted her before he beat her, police said.

The attack happened about 10 p.m. in back of the Olney Steak and Beer Deli on Broad Street near Olney Avenue, police said.

As the deli was closing, employees taking out the trash noticed the assailant, cops said.

"They thought it was two males fighting until they saw the female laying on the sidewalk naked and he was on top of her hitting her and then he fled," said Lt. Thomas McDevitt, of the Special Victims Unit.

The 47-year-old victim was still in critical condition at Albert Einstein Medical Center last night, police said.

Investigators have been unable to interview the woman due to her severe injuries.

Her attacker, seen at least three times Wednesday in the deli's surveillance video inside the store, is known to frequent stores in the area. Police are asking the public's help in getting him off the streets.

"This particular night he was an animal," McDevitt said.

Police described the assailant as black, in his 20s, about 6 feet tall, heavy-set and wearing a black Aeropostale sweatshirt, jeans and Timberland boots.

Anyone with information on his identity can call police at 215-686-TIPS or 215-685-3251.