PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Police in Portage are searching for a suspect in a felonious assault case that took place around 5:50 a.m. Wednesday on the Bicentennial Park Trail.
Police say the female victim in this case was jogging north on the trail between Garden Lane and Romence Road. She heard noises coming from the woods which she thought was a deer, but then recognized the noise as footsteps.
As she ran under the bridge at the Romence Road underpass, she was grabbed from behind by a white male, mid 20’s to early 30’s, wearing a red color hooded sweatshirt and armed with a pocket knife.
The suspect grabbed her by the arm, but the victim screamed and fought back before she was pushed to the ground. She was able to run away and call the police from a nearby gas station at the corner of South Westnedge and Romence Road.
The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety K-9 unit responded to the scene to assist Portage police, but the track was unsuccessful.
The suspect is described as a while male, approximately six feet tall, thin build, medium light brown hair with a goatee, wearing a red hoodie and jeans.
Newly released surveillance footage shows the suspected attacker fleeing along the trail during the early morning hours.
Since this incident occurred, increased patrol by officers has been implemented along the trail and surrounding area as the incident remains under investigation.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Portage Department of Public Safety at 269-329-4567, Silent Observer at 269-343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.
