San Diego police are looking for a man who chased after a woman jogging along the sidewalk in Pacific Beach, knocked her down and groped her.
The attack happened just after 8 a.m. in the 1300-block of Diamond Street.
Police said the suspect forced the female jogger to the ground and grabbed her from behind. When the victim screamed, the suspect fled on foot.
According to neighbors, two men who were riding bikes witnessed the attack and tried to chase after the suspect.
“I didn’t think I lived in a bad neighborhood because I run at night time all the time and during the day. It seems like a pretty nice street doesn’t seem like a lot of crime going on, but I’m sorry to hear that,”said Sherry Walkowicz.
Another neighbor says she has heard of crimes happening at night in the area but would not expect something like that to happen in broad daylight.
“It makes me want to be definitely be more observant because I usually don’t pay attention to my surroundings when I’m running, I just kind of go straight forward,” Said Erin McClain.
Police say the suspect -- identified as 28 to 30 years old, 6’0” to 6’2”, athletic build, clean shaven, wearing a blue tank top and tan shorts, but no shoes -- jumped into a white sedan and drove away. The suspect’s vehicle may be a two-door Acura, witnesses told investigators.
On Thursday evening, detectives said they believed this groping case may be related to a previous series of sexual batteries that occurred in Pacific Beach last month on May 3 and May 6.
In those cases, detectives said the suspect groped women as they were walking or jogging in the PB area. On May 9, five women were groped by a suspect while jogging in the College Area, though police didn’t confirm if those incidents are related to these Pacific Beach assaults.
Additional victims or anyone with information about these incidents are urged to contact the San Diego Police Department’s Sex Crimes Unit at (619) 531-2210 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
Keep up to date on breaking news: Download our improved iPhone app, follow us on Twitter @nbcsandiego, fan us on Facebook, sign up for our breaking news e-mail alerts or text SDBREAKING to 622339 to receive text messages for local breaking news. (For more info, text HELP. To end, text STOP. Message and data rates may apply.)
