A woman was thrown to the ground and sexually assaulted while out for a jog, as police hunt for her attacker over the “extremely worrying” attack.
The woman heard someone approaching from behind as she ran under a bridge at Jacana Reserve, near Johnstone Street in Jacana, north of Melbourne, on August 14, police said.
The man then threw her to the ground and sexually assaulted her.
Victorian Detective Inspector Mark Burnett of the Sex Crimes Squad praised the woman’s response to her attacker.
“She is a very brave woman and we were particularly impressed with the way she was able to assist the police with our enquiries and provide a very accurate statement,” he told reporters on Friday.
“And the way she was able to fight and flee the scene.”
The woman managed to escape and ran to a parking lot, where two citizens called the police.
She was taken to hospital with minor injuries, including scrapes and sore shoulders.
Police want to speak to a man seen on CCTV footage in connection with a sexual assault on a female jogger in Melbourne
Police released the footage as the search for the jogger’s attacker continues.
The Air Wing team and the canine squad searched the area but were unable to locate the man.
Police have released images of an unidentified man wearing a dark jumper and trousers who they want to speak to as part of the investigation.
Detective Inspector Burnett said police were focusing on the area around Jacana but were keeping an “open mind” as to where she might be.
Police are focusing 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 is seeing this… we would ask them to come forward and contact the police.”
Investigators have already carried out a CCTV inspection of the area.
Anyone with information about the attack or who recognises the attacker is urged to contact Victoria Police.