Man Tackles Runner, Tries To Sexually Assault Her On Somerset County Trail

FRANKLIN, NJ — Authorities are searching for a man who police say tried to sexually assault a woman as she was running at a park in Somerset County on Monday night. Police are trying to see if the suspect is the same wanted in sex assaults at Duke Island Park and Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park last year.

At around 6 p.m., a woman called 911 saying she was assaulted by a man while she was running at Six Mile Run located near Blackwells Mills Road and Canal Road in Franklin Township, said Somerset County Acting Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart.

The woman said the unknown man who was on a bicycle got off of his bike and tackled her to the ground when she was running on the trail.

The woman fought with the man as he tried to sexually assault her, but she was able to fight her attacker and escape from the assault, according to authorities.

That's when she called 911.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic man about 5-foot 6-inches to 5-foot 7-inches tall, heavier build, about mid 30’s, wearing black pants or shorts, a green hoodie, and a blue gator face covering.

The suspect reportedly fled the area on a bicycle. The woman was taken to an area hospital for treatment and released.

Franklin Township Police along with Officers from Hillsborough Township Police Department, South Brunswick Police Department and Montgomery Township Police Department searched the area with no luck.

Detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department along with detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Sex Crimes Unit, Crime Scene Investigations Unit and New Jersey State Park Police are trying to determine if thesuspect involved in this recent incident is the same actor involved in previously reported attacks in Somerset and Middlesex Counties.

• Related: Woman Sexually Assaulted At Knifepoint At Duke Island Park
• Related: Man Wanted In Sexual Assault May Be Tied To Duke Island Attack

Detectives are requesting the publics help if they see anyone matching the description provided by the victim to contact authorities.

Anyone with information relating to the sexual assault is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Sex Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at 908-873-5533 or via the STOPit app.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

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