A woman has been thrown to the ground and sexually assaulted while going for a run, as police hunt for the offender over the ‘extremely concerning’ attack.
The woman heard someone come up behind her as she jogged underneath a bridge in Jacana Reserve, near Johnstone Street at Jacana, Melbourne’s north on August 14, police said.
She was subsequently thrown to the ground by the man and sexually assaulted.
Victorian Detective Inspector Mark Burnett from the Sexual Crimes Squad commended the woman’s response to her attacker.
‘She is a very brave woman and we were especially impressed with the way she was able to assist police with our inquires and provide a very accurate statement,’ he told reporters on Friday.
‘And the way she was able to fight and run from the scene.’
The woman was able to get away and ran to a car park, where two members of the public called police.
She was taken to hospital with minor injuries, including scratches and pain in her shoulders.
Police would like to speak with a man seen in CCTV footage in connection with a sex attack on a female jogger in Melbourne
Police released the images as they continue their search for the female jogger’s attacker
The Air Wing and Dog Squad searched the area but were unable to spot the man.
Police have released images of an unidentified man wearing a dark jumper and pants who they want to speak to as part of the investigation.
Det Insp Burnett said police were zeroing in on the area surrounding Jacana but were keeping an ‘open mind’ as to where he could be.
Police are zeroing in on Jacana in the search, and have assessed CCTV footage from the area
‘This is extremely concerning behaviour for Victoria Police and also the wider community,’ he said.
‘If the offender’s watching this … we’d ask for them to come forward and contact police.’
Investigators have already undertaken a CCTV survey of the area.
Anyone with information about the attack or who recognises the offender is urged to contact Victoria Police.
