Passerby sees black SUV after jogger is attacked at UMW

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Published: July 11, 2008

STAFFORD — A possible witness on Hanover Street in Fredericksburg has reported seeing a mid-sized black sport-utility vehicle with a driver matching the description of the suspect around the time that a jogger was reportedly attacked at the University of Mary Washington. 

On Thursday morning, the young woman jogging at the Fredericksburg university experienced an attempted abduction and assault on the college’s athletic complex. The woman told police she was running on the trail surrounding the athletic fields around 7:30 a.m. when a man with a handgun attacked her. The man pushed her into the bushes and tried to tie her hands, she told the Fredericksburg Police Department, but she was able to run away.

According to Natatia Bledsoe, public information officer for the police department, the passerby noted an SUV with a side-mounted rear light assembly with black vinyl taillight decals.

The jogger was not injured.

Focusing on Alum Springs Park, the Fredericksburg Police Department, officers from UMW, the National Park Service and a police K-9 from the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office searched the park for about two hours, finding nothing.

Neighborhoods near the university and apartment complexes near Alum Springs Park received reverse 911 messages as an alert. Residents are advised to call 911 immediately if the suspect is seen. He should not be approached, and is considered armed and dangerous, according to police.

The suspect is described as a white male in his late 20s, 6 feet 2 inches tall, 250 pounds with very short brown hair and curly bangs in the front and clean-shaven. He was wearing black shorts and a white T-shirt on Thursday.

Police say a second jogger may have had a run-in with the suspect July 1 on Hanover Street. The potential witness, who came forward, reportedly jumped up in a manner that frightened her and she felt that he might follow her, according to police.

She also gave a similar description of the suspect to the police department.

— Tracy Bell from press release