Police: Same Man May Have Attacked Two Women Who Were Outdoors

Images: Sketch of suspect in July 2 incident; sketch of suspect in July 14 incident (Georgia Bureau of Investigation)

SMYRNA, GA — The city police released sketches Thursday of the suspects in two assaults this month on women who were exercising outdoors, but they said the two suspects may actually be the same man.

The most recent incident occurred last week in Jonquil Park, according to a media release from the Smyrna Police Department. The police responded at 8:16 a.m. on July 14 to the report of a strong-arm robbery and sexual assault. The victim, a Hispanic woman, told them that she was jogging through the park whn an unknown African American man jumped out of the bushes and demanded $20.

The victim didn’t have any money, and the man then took her jewelry and demanded sex, the police said. When she refused, the man struck her in the head and kicked her in the back, leaving her injured.

The man in the July 14 incident is described by the Smyrna police as between 6 feet and 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing about 170 to 180 pounds. He is cleanshaven with a large nose and a strong voice, and has a tattoo on one of his hands.

The city police are also investigating a sexual assault and battery reported at 9:45 p.m. July 2 near the East-West Connector and Gaylor Street, according to another statement to the media released Thursday.

An African American woman told police she was exercising in the area when an unknown African American man approached her. She said the unknown man "made small talk with her before he suddenly reached out and groped her breast," the police said.

She said the man "then assaulted her by punching her in the face and mounting her with his hands over her mouth, preventing her from yelling for help," the police said.

The man in that case is described as 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing about 160 pounds, and about 30 years old with a faded haircut. He was last seen wearing a red shirt with black lettering and blue jean shorts.

In both cases, the Smyrna Police Department obtained composite sketches of the suspect with the help of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Given the similarities between the two assaults, "investigators believe the unknown black male in the composite may be the same individual," the police said.

Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to call the Smyrna police at 770-434-6666. You can also contact Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta; you don't have to give your name, and you could receive a cash reward.

Call: 404-577-TIPS (8477)
Text: CSA + tip to CRIMES
Click: www.CrimeStoppersAtlanta.org