Female jogger assaulted with knife in Bridgeview park, police say

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (WLS) -- Police are searching for a suspect in connection with an armed assault of a female jogger in Bridgeview, officials said.

Police responded to the call around 9 p.m. Tuesday near Founders Park in the 8200-block of S. 78th Avenue. Police say they jogger was running when she was attacked from behind by a male suspect who allegedly grabbed the victim, tore at her clothing and slashed her legs and upper torso with a knife.

"She tried to fight off her attacker, at which time he had a knife, and he tried to stab her - or did stab her - several times in the leg and the upper torso," said Bridgeview Police Chief Walter Klimek.

Authorities say the 26-year-old woman continued to fight, and the man ran away in the direction of Roberts Road.

"We're doing everything we can to secure the neighborhood and get confidence back to the residents," Klimek said.

After a K-9 unit and helicopter search Tuesday night, police returned to the park Wednesday with dogs.

Word of the attack along the popular running path has nearby residents on-edge.

"In the 50-plus years I've lived in this area, nothing like this has ever happened, somebody being stabbed in our park," said Tim Murphy, a Bridgeview resident.

"A little unnerving for sure because I am out late a lot after dark. I usually grocery shop after dark," said Rachel Lopez, a Bridgeview resident.

The victim is recovering from non-life threatening injuries and is in stable condition, police said.

The suspect is described as a white 40-year-old man around 5-foot-8 with a stocky build, gray beard and hairy arms, police said.

Anyone with information about the suspect is urged to contact Bridgeview police at 708-458-2131.

"If you have to jog at night, please bring a flashlight. Bring something. Bring a whistle," Klimek said.