Forest Grove Woman Grabbed While Jogging Sunday; Minor Arrested Monday

FOREST GROVE, OR — While Heather Brown was jogging along the B Street Trail in Forest Grove on Sunday afternoon, listening to music as she ran, a person jumped from the bushes and grabbed her from behind.

Brown quickly turned ready for a fight, she told Patch Monday, but the person — who Brown described as between 16 and 18 years old, about 5-foot 6-inches, with light tan skin and brown hair — turned and ran away. And though Brown gave chase, she lost him when he ducked into a resident's backyard.

Around 10:30 a.m. May 22, Brown was told that Forest Grove police had apprehended a 14-year-old boy who, according to Brown, was made to confess by his parents.

Forest Grove police spokesman Capt. Mike Herb confirmed with Patch that the boy turned himself in after his parents were made aware of the suspect description from Sunday's incident.

"I am so glad they did not conceal it. He needs to know the gravity of what he did," Brown said shortly after learning of the arrest. "I think he was waiting for a jogger to play some sort of prank for his own amusement."

The boy has been charged with third degree sex abuse and harassment, police said, and the case has been referred to the Washington County Juvenile Department.

Though athletic, Brown has never taken a self defense course, she said. After Sunday's incident, however, Brown plans to take a power curves course from her brother-in-law who teaches in Washington County. Additionally, Brown's husband is "very adamant that I start to carry a personal safety device," she said.

"I may be a tough lady, and strong. But I am not invincible," she said. "There are always faster stronger people than me and I need to be alert. I need to be alert even when I think I'm safe, in public, and visible."

This investigation is ongoing. Patch will update this post as more information becomes available.

Photos Courtesy: Heather Brown, Facebook