Sketch Released Of Suspect In Palo Alto Jogger Attack
PALO ALTO (CBS SF) -- Palo Alto police on Tuesday released a sketch of a man who is considered a suspect in the attack on a female jogger Sunday in Palo Alto.
The sketch is based on a description from a woman in her 30s who reported the man attacked and sexually groped her as she ran on a trail at the Baylands Nature Preserve, a park in Palo Alto, police said.
"We're putting it out to see if it jogs someone's memory," police spokesman Detective Sgt. Brian Philip said.
Police were notified around 10:50 a.m. that a man had tried to assault a woman as she ran next to the Palo Alto Golf Course within the nature preserve at 2775 Embarcadero Road.
The woman, who is not being identified, said the suspect walked from a bridge leading to East Palo Alto and followed her as she jogged on a 3-mile loop trail that circles the preserve.
At one point the man leapt onto her back and groped her sexually through her clothing but the woman was able to stay on her feet and push him off, police said.
A pair of bicyclists appeared on the path and the man fled across the bridge toward East Palo Alto, police said.
The people on the bikes asked the victim if she was fine and then left the area. The jogger was unhurt.
Police are also seeking the two bicyclists as potential witnesses.
The suspect in the attack was described as a Hispanic or Hispanic and black biracial male about 20 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 160 pounds with clear-colored studded earrings in both ears and wearing long blue shorts, a white t-shirt and tennis shoes.
Anyone who may recognize the suspect or has information about the incident may contact Palo Alto police's 24-hour dispatch center at (650) 329-2413.
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