Within hours of Jason Smith's arrest for the strangulation murder of Dr. Melissa Ketunuti, homicide investigators were seeking a search warrant for his DNA, hoping to help their already strong homicide case and to determine if he's been involved in any other crimes.
"That would always be something that we would want to do, obviously," said Commissioner Charles Ramsey, following an afternoon press conference.
Ramsey and others confirm that homicide detectives and the Special Victim's Unit have been looking over the evidence against Smith, trying to determine if there are any similarities to unsolved cases across the city.
"He's certainly leading us to believe this is the only time something like this has happened, but we have to make sure that we cover everything and make sure he's not involved in other types of crimes," Ramsey explained.
Ramsey and SVU investigators confirm that some of the unsolved cases they're looking at involve a man depicted in a sketch. He's wanted for three attacks on women in Pennypack Park dating back to 2010. In each case, women were driven to the park in a white work truck with ladders. The women were beaten and sexually assaulted.
"We're checking everything we can possibly check," Ramsey added.
Sources also tell FOX 29 that homicide detectives received a call Thursday from another customer of Smith's who says he visited her home in an agitated state the day after Ketunuti's murder. She has spoken to detectives.
"We're going to get calls like that. We're also going to retrace some of the jobs he's had in the past," Ramsey said. "We're going to do whatever we can to see if he's connected to any other crimes."
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:16 PM EDT2013-05-23 21:16:06 GMT
It started with high potency pot turning up on the streets of Montgomery County neighborhoods and a tip call to the district attorney . "It was actually a call made to me personally that generated what's
It started with high potency pot turning up on the streets of Montgomery County neighborhoods and a tip call to the district attorney.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:04 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:04:25 GMT
Veteran narcotics officer Jeff Walker was part of some of Philadelphia's most celebrated drug raids including a huge marijuana bust that netted $1.5 million dollars in pot. Now Walker finds himself on
Veteran narcotics officer Jeff Walker was part of some of Philadelphia's most celebrated drug raids including a huge marijuana bust that netted $1.5 million dollars in pot. Now Walker finds himself on
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:01 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:01:25 GMT
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:26:23 GMT
When SEPTA trains roll into stations in Radnor Township, Main Line passengers aren't the only ones getting on and off. Police say criminals are now using the rails to pull off home burglaries.
When SEPTA trains roll into stations in Radnor Township, Main Line passengers aren't the only ones getting on and off. Police say criminals are now using the rails to pull off home burglaries here and make their getaway.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 7:13 PM EDT2013-05-15 23:13:23 GMT
These Crime Scene Investigators have processed thousands of gruesome crime scenes over their careers, but what they saw inside Doctor Kermit Gosnell's abortion clinic back in 2010 was a nightmare.
These Crime Scene Investigators have processed thousands of gruesome crime scenes over their careers, but what they saw inside Doctor Kermit Gosnell's abortion clinic back in 2010 was a nightmare.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:16 PM EDT2013-05-23 21:16:06 GMT
It started with high potency pot turning up on the streets of Montgomery County neighborhoods and a tip call to the district attorney . "It was actually a call made to me personally that generated what's
It started with high potency pot turning up on the streets of Montgomery County neighborhoods and a tip call to the district attorney.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:03 PM EDT2013-05-23 21:03:32 GMT
Investigators allege that bars and restaurants in New Jersey disguised cheap booze, or worse, as the expensive stuff and made you pay the higher price.
Investigators allege that bars and restaurants in New Jersey disguised cheap booze, or worse, as the expensive stuff and made you pay the higher price.
Thursday, May 23 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-05-23 19:32:02 GMT
A college student from Pennsylvania who went missing last week on his drive home from a New England college has been "located unharmed," almost a week after he disappeared, authorities say.
A college student from Pennsylvania who went missing last week on his drive home from a New England college has been "located unharmed," almost a week after he disappeared, authorities say.
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:37 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:37:35 GMT
We have been following the story of Herbert and Catherine Schaible for a while now. This couple lives in Philadelphia and are a faith healing couple who is facing murder charges for the death of their
We have been following the story of Herbert and Catherine Schaible for a while now. This couple lives in Philadelphia and are a faith healing couple who is facing murder charges for the death of their
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:55:29 GMT
A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men seen running to and away from a homicide scene Tuesday night in Camden.
A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men seen running to and away from a homicide scene Tuesday night in Camden.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:43 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:43:10 GMT
Thirteen paintings by the famous Wyeth family of artists have sold for just over $2 million at a New York City auction.New Jersey businessman Eric Sambol sold the works by Andrew, Jamie and N.C. Wyeth
Thirteen paintings by the famous Wyeth family of artists have sold for just over $2 million at a New York City auction.New Jersey businessman Eric Sambol sold the works by Andrew, Jamie and N.C. Wyeth
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:31 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:31:19 GMT
AP Image
New Jersey's invasion of cicadas has started in the wake of two days of warm weather.The insects have started to emerge from the soil in droves for the first time in 17 years and that could make for
New Jersey's invasion of cicadas has started in the wake of two days of warm weather.The insects have started to emerge from the soil in droves for the first time in 17 years and that could make for
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:23 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:23:02 GMT
A small street in the city's Fern Rock section is closed off to traffic - for a good reason!Volunteers from Rebuilding Together Philadelphia and the Sears Heroes At Home program have gathered at the Reed
A small street in the city's Fern Rock section is closed off to traffic - for a good reason!Volunteers from Rebuilding Together Philadelphia and the Sears Heroes At Home program have gathered at the Reed
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