WALNUT CREEK — A female jogger was the victim of a sexual battery Thursday evening on the Iron Horse Trail, the third such incident believed to have been committed by the same suspect since March 4, authorities said.
The attack happened about 5:40 p.m. Thursday on the trail near the intersection of Jones Road and Treat Boulevard.
East Bay Regional Park District Police, who are leading the investigation, said the woman was traveling south on the trail on the Robert I. Schroder overcrossing at Treat Boulevard when she was inappropriately grabbed from behind by a man, which is considered a sexual battery.
The suspect ran off southbound on the trail. The woman was not injured.
EBRPD police were joined by BART and Walnut Creek police and Contra Costa County sheriff’s deputies in the investigation but could not locate the suspect.
The suspect is described as white, between the age of 25 to 27, between 5 feet 9 and 5 feet 10 with a skinny build, dark hair and a beard or goatee type facial hair. He wore all dark athletic clothing.
Authorities said it was the third similar incident on the Iron Horse Trail in the same area believed committed by the same man.
EBRPD police Lt. Terrence Cotcher said the previous assaults on female joggers happened Wednesday about 4:45 p.m. and March 4 at about 5:09 p.m.
EBRPD police said the cases are being actively and diligently investigated and are asking anyone who was on the Iron Horse Trail at the time of the incidents or who have cameras that may have captured images of the suspect to contact its dispatch center at 510-881-1833. Anyone who may have information about the identity of the suspect can contact the dispatch center or the anonymous tip line at 510-690-6521.
Police said the public should always be aware of their surroundings while visiting the parks and to phone police if they see any suspicious activity.
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