Two more women have reported being grabbed by a man on a bicycle as they walked in the area of Upriver Drive,
Last week, a woman jogging on the Centennial Trail around 7:30 a.m. had her bottom grabbed by a man passing her on a dark mountain bike. He asked if she “like it” and she ran from the suspect.
That same day, the same victim was walking from her apartment in the 4900 block of East to Minnehaha Park about 5 p.m. when the same suspect rode up and grabbed her again. She reported to Crime Check that the suspect appeared shocked that he had encountered the same victim a second time.
She described the suspect as a white male about 20, 5’11” tall and 140 to 150 pounds.
After reports of this attack were published, Crime Check received a call from another woman who said she was walking in the area of Stone and Upriver Drive on July 26th when a man rode up and grabbed her behind.
She said he was riding a black mountain bike and that the attack occurred about 12:30 p.m. She described him as a white male in his 20’s who was about 6’01” tall and thin.
A third victim contacted a deputy and told him that she was walking her dog on the Centennial Trail July 25th when a man on a bike rode by and grabbed her behind about 7:30 p.m. She was just east of Upriver Dam when the attack occurred and she yelled at the suspect that she would release her dog.
The suspect crossed the road and headed west away from her. She described him as a white male who was wearing a white hoodie over his head and faded blue jeans. He was thin, about 150 pounds, and about 5’08” tall, she said.
She said the suspect’s bike was black and had fat tires like a mountain bike. She decided to report the assault after hearing news accounts of the first victim
All three attacks occurred in daylight when potential victims might be less cautious about approaching bicyclists or other trail users. The attacks also were made within sight of passing motorists, indicating the suspect is being fairly brazen.
Police encourage trail users to recreate in pairs when possible, and to not wear head or ear phones which may mask the sounds of someone approaching from behind. Walking with a dog is a good way to improve your safety, but is no guarantee.
Be aware of areas of potential ambush and alert to suspicious activity by other trail users. Lastly, take the time to report incidents that might help police establish the identity of criminal suspects or determine their method of operation.