Female Jogger Fights Off Attempted Rapist On North Bay Trail

SONOMA COUNTY, CA – Sheriff's officials are seeking a man who allegedly pushed, punched and attempted to sexually assault a woman Sunday afternoon as she was jogging on a trail near Sonoma.

The incident occurred at about 1:15 p.m. on the Sonoma Overlook Trail near Norrbom Road, Sonoma County sheriff's officials said.

As the woman was jogging, a man began yelling at her.

As she continued, the man then allegedly pushed her from behind, causing her to fall on the ground. The suspect then punched her several times, before attempting to rape her, according to sheriff's officials.

The victim, however, was able to fight off the suspect, escape and call for help.

Sheriff's deputies, along with a sheriff's helicopter and a K-9 team from the Santa Rosa Police Department, responded and searched the area extensively but were unable to locate the suspect.

He was described as a white man in his 50s with a white, bushy beard and wearing a black zip-up hooded sweatshirt, a black sweater, a black beanie and dirty jeans. The suspect appeared to be homeless, sheriff's
officials said.

Sheriff's officials are reminding residents to take extra precaution in the area and to immediately report suspicious people or suspicious activity.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call (707) 565-2185.

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