Cambridge woman attacked while walking dog
CAMBRIDGE - Police are turning to the public for help after a woman was attacked while walking her dog in Cambridge Sunday night.
The woman in her 20s was walking her 8-month old Cockapoo around midnight in the area of Market and Windsor streets when she saw a man on the other side of the road wearing all black with a black ski mask on his head.
"After she passed him and eye contact was made, the suspect turned around and approached her," Cambridge police said. "He then reportedly tackled her to the ground and struck her multiple times."
The man took off with the leashed dog, but the dog was able to escape, police said. First responders treated the woman's injuries at the scene.
The dog named Jax was found later on Monday and reunited with its owner.
Police on Thursday shared surveillance video that they say features the attacker as he walked in the area of the assault an hour before it happened.
"One of the things that we are concerned about is the fact that this suspect was in the area for approximately at least an hour prior to the attack," said Jeremy Warnick, spokesperson for Cambridge Police. "According to the survivor, she does not have any indication of why somebody would do that to her specifically."
Cambridge Police are actively investigating and seeking the community’s assistance in identifying a suspect after a Cambridge resident in her 20s was physically assaulted in the area of Market Street & Windsor Street while walking her 8-month-old dog around midnight on Dec 5. 1/3 https://t.co/L4mSnvSlKP pic.twitter.com/EPf1onEcjX
— Cambridge Police👮🏽 (@CambridgePolice) December 8, 2022
Women who live in the neighborhood say they usually feel safe, but this attack has them questioning the routes they take home.
"It's frustrating because I pay so much rent here and the fact that I maybe don't even feel safe walking home it's kind of frustrating," said Hannah Jacobs. "And I'm not really sure what to do you know, because what do you do with that information? This happens all the time to women all over the world."
Police are providing "enhanced attention to the area" in the evening and early morning hours. Anyone with information is asked to contact Cambridge police.