Lakewood police are searching for a suspect after a woman was sexually assaulted while running near a park.
The woman was running past Walker Branch Park around 12:45 p.m. Aug. 6 when a man in his 20s or 30s began to follow her, police stated in a news release Monday.
The suspect followed the woman for two blocks on Harlan Street before attacking her from behind, authorities said. He then fled northbound on Harlan Street and eastbound on 16th Avenue.
Police described the suspect as between 5-foot-8 and 5-foot-10 with black facial hair. He was seen wearing a black Nike long-sleeve shirt, white pants, black shoes and a black baseball cap on the day of the attack.
Anyone with information about this suspect is asked to call Detective N. Hartner at 303-987-7222.
The Lakewood assault comes amid a rash of similar crimes against women in the metro area.
An Evergreen man last week was charged with several counts related to unlawful sexual contact against multiple women on Jefferson County park trails — including some while he was nude.
Earlier this month, a man impersonating a search and rescue official assaulted a woman on a hiking trail near Nederland, authorities said.
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