Suspected W&O Trail Attacker Caught On Surveillance Footage: Police

RESTON, VA — Fairfax County Police released a photo Wednesday of the man they say is responsible for a string of attacks since the beginning of August on the W&OD Trail near the Reston/Herndon border

"We're here today to ask your help and identifying this man," said Sgt. Tara Gerhard, an FCPD public information officer, during a noon news conference near the trail in Reston.

Police obtained the photo from a Herndon resident who captured the image on their surveillance camera. FCPD also released the full video. Gerhard asked the public to notify police if they recognize the man, and to check their own surveillance cameras to see if there are any other images available.

"Anything you can do to help us identify this man, so we can bring him to justice and keep our community safe, would be greatly appreciated," she said.

The most recent attack occurred around 9:48 p.m. Tuesday in Reston. A man grabbed a teenage girl as she was walking along the sidewalk in the 1800 block of Old Reston Avenue. The girl was able to break free and the man ran off.

"We do believe he is connected to our incidents from the last few weeks," Gerhard said. "We're actually even going back to previous cases to determine if any of those incidents are related as well."

The other incidents, including one in the Town of Herndon, occurred on Aug. 3, 15, and 18.

Gerhard described the suspect in the photo as standing about 5-foot-11 with an athletic build. He wore a black hooded sweatshirt and black shorts during Tuesday night's attack.

"Our detectives are doing everything they can to track him down and that's why we're asking for our community's help," she said, holding up the photo. "This man right here is who we're looking to talk to. Any information, any video surveillance you may have, no tip is too small."

Anyone who has information about or surveillance footage of the suspect is asked to call 703-246-7800 or 703-691-2131. Anonymous tips may also be submitted via Fairfax anonymously through Fairfax Crime Solvers.