A jogger was attacked and robbed last week in Forest Park
Photo by Michael V. Cusenza
A female jogger was attacked and robbed last week in Forest Park, police officials said; and while cops quickly determined the latest incident to not be part of the recent disturbing spate of sexual assaults, security at the large borough green space remained on high alert.
The woman was attacked last Tuesday evening around 6:15 p.m. as she jogged along the horse trails in the park near Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South, according to Deputy Inspector Henry Sautner, commanding officer of the 102nd Precinct. She was grabbed from behind by a man and quickly pulled away from him, but not before he snatched the ear buds that were attached to her phone. The victim was not physically injured.
“There is nothing that indicates it’s the same person or pattern,” Sautner said at last week’s Woodhaven Residents Block Association meeting. “Not a crime sexual in nature.”
No arrests have been made, but Sautner noted that his detective squad is running down some leads. The assailant was described as a white man in his early 40s, balding with grayish blond hair, about 5-foot-8 inches tall and weighing around 200 pounds. He was wearing a long-sleeve gray shirt and baggy blue jeans at the time of the incident.
Tuesday’s attack comes a little more than a year after the last reported sexual assault in the 507-acre park. Authorities believe one man is responsible for six attacks in the area over a two-year period. Sautner said there will be an increased police presence in and around the park, and that 102nd Precinct detectives continue to work with Queens Special Victims Unit investigators on the serial case. He also reminded the community that with fall here and winter months approaching, it will be getting dark earlier, so stay vigilant and adhere to regulations and signs regarding park closings.
By Michael V. Cusenza
