Teen Fights Off Attacker In San Rafael

SAN RAFAEL, CA — Authorities are asking for the public's help in identifying a man who grabbed a teenager while she was jogging Monday in the Marinwood neighborhood of San Rafael.

The 15-year-old girl said she was jogging around 6 p.m. on a path near Mt. Rainier Drive when the man "came out from behind foliage in front of her and grabbed her face," according to the Marin County Sheriff's Office.

The girl said she punched the man in the face and ran away, sheriff's officials said. He chased her but did not catch up to her, she said.

The suspect was described as Black, between 50 and 60 years old, 6 feet tall with a medium build, brown eyes and a black beard. He was wearing a black beanie, a red fleece collared sweater, blue jogging pants and white Adidas shoes with black stripes.

Detectives in plain clothes have canvassed the area and marked patrol vehicles have provided extra patrols, officials said.

"We would also like to remind the public to remain vigilant while in the area and report any suspicious activity to the Marin County Sheriff's Office," officials said in a news release. "We will continue to provide both marked patrol vehicle extra patrols in addition to utilizing unmarked vehicles to canvas the area."

Anyone with information was asked to contact Detective Lauren Patton at L_Patton@marinsheriff.org or 415-473-7265.