Authorities suspect that the man who was recently arrested in connection with the Pennypack Park trail slashings is the same individual known as the "Fairmount Park Rapist," according to sources within the police department.

A news conference is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon to provide an update on the ongoing investigation.

Elias Diaz, 46, was taken into custody on Sunday for a series of assaults that occurred on the Pennypack Park trail last month.

The slashings took place in late November at the park in Northeast Philadelphia. All of the victims were reportedly exercising on the trail when they were attacked. Diaz, who was allegedly riding a bike and armed with a knife, is believed to be responsible for the incidents.

One of the incidents occurred on November 22 at around 8:15 a.m. on the 2800 block of Holme Avenue. Diaz is accused of cutting a man multiple times while he was running on the trail. The victim received treatment at Nazareth Hospital.

Two days later, on November 24 at approximately 9 a.m., Diaz allegedly attacked another individual on the trail in the 2800 block of Winchester Avenue. Armed with a knife, he assaulted a man who was walking on the trail. The victim sustained injuries to his right arm and hands and was treated at Jefferson Torresdale Hospital.

Police Search for Fairmount Park Rapist

Authorities have been on the lookout for a man known as the "Fairmount Park Rapist" since July 2003. The suspect is wanted for the rape and murder of Rebecca Park, and there have been three additional attacks in Fairmount Park that same year. Another assault occurred in 2007.

Law enforcement officials have referred to the suspect as an "apex predator" based on interviews conducted over the years.

This is a developing story and will be updated.