PHILADELPHIA (May 19, 2023) – The District Attorney’s Office Special Investigations Unit on Friday announced the arrest of former Philadelphia Police homicide detective Donald Suchinsky on rape charges related to a second alleged victim.
Suchinsky (DOB: 6/21/1965) was arrested Thursday, May 18th, on charges of Rape, Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse, Sexual Assault, Indecent Assault, Terroristic Threats, and Official Oppression for his role in at least 10 alleged incidents of assault against a second victim between 2017 and 2022. Suchinsky had been one of the homicide detectives assigned to investigate the murder of the woman’s brother in 2017.
The former homicide detective is being held on $1.5 million bail.
Suchinsky had previously been arrested and charged with Aggravated Indecent Assault and related offenses by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) on February 23, 2023, for allegedly assaulting the mother of a homicide victim, whose murder he had also been involved in investigating. A Municipal Court judge ordered Suchinsky held for court on the first set of charges in April.
“News media reporting and social media sharing of defendant Donald Suchinsky’s arrest last February was, we believe, instrumental in the development of information about the second victim and our new allegations in this second case,” SIU Supervisor ADA Lyandra Retacco said. “We have reason to believe that there may be yet more victims who have truthful information about defendant Suchinsky, and who may have encountered him while he was performing his official duties as a police detective investigating murders. Please contact the Special Investigations Unit at [email protected] or 215-686-9608. Our prosecutors and staff are here to support survivors of homicide, sexual assault, and other violent crimes.”
The DA’s Office generally does not share police booking photos but makes individualized exceptions including when information or tips from the public are needed by law enforcement. Individuals who have truthful information about defendant Donald Suchinsky are urged to contact the SIU at [email protected] or 215-686-9608.
Resources for survivors of sexual abuse and assault are also available at the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
###
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million residents of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for the prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually. Learn more about the DAO by visiting PhillyDA.org.