Men rob, rape victims inside North Philly spa, police say

Law enforcement officials are on the hunt for five men after, police claim, they — along with another teen who was apprehended — forced their way into a spa in North Philadelphia and sexually assaulted victims there on Saturday.

According to police, the incident happened at about 4:40 a.m. on Saturday when six men — all believed to be in their late teens to early 20s — forced their way into a spa located along the 400 block of North 9th Street and then robbed and sexually assaulted several victims there.

NBC10 obtained surveillance video which showed three of the suspects. One of the men appears to try and force his way inside a room before another suspect stops him. The man then puts on a mask and the video ends.

When police arrived, officials said, the suspects fled to the roof of the property.

One man, Saidakhmad Bakiev, 18, of Northeast Philly, was apprehended on the rooftop as he attempted to flee the scene, officials said.

Bakiev has been charged with aggravated assault, rape, burglary, robbery, false imprisonment, sexual assault and related offenses.

Resources for victims of sexual assault are available through the National Sexual Violence Resources Center and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673.

Police are on the lookout for five other individuals, who they believe are of Russian or Central Asian descent and they claim were also involved in this incident.

Law enforcement officials in Philadelphia are asking anyone who may have information on this incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department’s Special Victims Unit 215-685-3251/3252 or call or text the department’s tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477).

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