The offender grabbed the woman from behind around 5:30 a.m. Friday and forced her to the ground, according to police. The two struggled briefly, police said, but the woman was not injured. A Good Samaritan driving by scared the attacker off; he fled on foot.
Friday's attack is the second in as many weeks on a female jogger in Arlington Heights. In another incident, a woman was attacked on September 26 at 6 a.m. in Lake Arlington Park, a mile and a half from the latest attack.
It isn't clear if the two incidents are related, police said. But officials are warning joggers to be aware of their surroundings, run with other people and go out during daylight hours. Also, joggers are encouraged not to wear headphones.
Neighborhood residents say the incidents, along with a robbery in the area last week, have left everyone on edge.
"We walk, so I won't be walking early morning for a while," said resident Chris Dix.
Police plan to add extra patrols. But despite that one woman says until the attacker is caught, she won't feel safe.
"Unless they start doing something to make things safer for women, I won't come back," she said.
Anyone with information on either attack should call police at (847) 368-5338.
