Police search for man who attacked woman on Villa Park trail

VILLA PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- Police said a woman was attacked on a popular exercise trail in west suburban Villa Park. They urge people to stay alert if they use the popular exercise trail alone.

A woman was walking along the Great Western Trail between South Harvard Avenue and South Westmore-Meyers Road around 7:40 a.m. Wednesday when police said a man hit her from behind.

The woman sustained minor injuries. The man did not steal anything from her. Officers searched the area for him, but were not able to find him.

The suspect is described as a Caucasian man between 21 and 25 years old with a thin build. He is around 5 ft. 8 in. tall and has blond hair. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt at the time of the attack.

Villa Park Police Chief Bob Pavelchik said investigators looked for any nearby cameras that might have recorded the attack.

"Crime is very low. I think mainly to the heavy use - lots of joggers, lots of walkers, lots of bicyclists - so it's heavily traveled. There is someone always around," Pavelchik said.

William Maddox Badley, Jr. lives in Villa Park. He said incidents like this rarely happen in the area.

"This is a shock to me because this is a very quiet community," Badley said.

Ron Zywicki, who runs on the Great Western Trail, said he never sees anything suspicious.

"It's unfortunate because lot of people use this trail all day. You come out here and you want to run and not worry about being attacked," Zywicki said.

"My wife, now she will never go on this path because of this. I just wish they'd catch this person," said Richard Ahrens, who walked the trail on Thursday.

Police ask people who use the trail to walk, run or bike in a group. They also asked those who listen to music while they exercise to remain alert, since headphones or ear buds can make it harder for people to hear what's going on around them.

Villa Park investigators said anyone with information regarding this incident should contact Detective James Cihak at (630) 592-6112.