Police issue alert after woman fights off attacker on West Chester, Pennsylvania, walking trail
The West Chester Police Department is looking for a man who they say assaulted a woman on a walking trail in the 500 block of Dean Street Tuesday evening.
The woman was walking just before 7 p.m. when an unknown man approached and assaulted her, according to a news release from police. She was able to push the man away and run. Police released images from surveillance video captured nearby.
The suspect was around 6 feet tall and was wearing a gray or silver hooded jacket, according to police. He was last seen running toward nearby Everhart Park.
The trail is less than a mile from West Chester University.
In a statement, police say the department "recognizes the concern this incident may cause within our community. We are committed to investigating this incident and appreciate any help from the community."
Police are gathering evidence and increasing patrols in and around surrounding parks and neighborhoods.
"I commend the victim for their courage in reporting this incident, and I encourage everyone to exercise safe practices out in the community, which include: walking with others when possible, staying in well-lit areas when possible, carrying a cell phone, and being observant of their surroundings," Chief Joshua Lee said in a statement.
Jamie Paxson lives near where the attack occurred and came out to help search his wooded property moments after he heard about what happened.
"I was just on my land here searching, seeing if anyone was hiding," Paxson said. "There are places to hide back there, but I didn't want to disturb the police, so I came up this way and police were right here."
Paxson says he also let police know about the security cameras on a nearby home, including one his neighbor added just this past weekend, which recorded the incident.
"He had surveillance signs because I told police he's got a surveillance camera, but the one that caught that was one that was strapped to a blue bird box that he just put up Saturday, so what's the odds of that happening."
Anyone with information is asked to contact West Chester police at 610-696-2700 and reference incident number WC-26-29110.
