Jogger attacked near Lake Arlington Park

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (WLS) -- Arlington Heights police are looking for a man who attacked a woman while she was jogging near Lake Arlington Park around 5 p.m. Friday near East Valley Lane and Windsor Drive.

Police say a man ran up alongside the victim and tried to initiate a conversation, then grabbed her when she tried to ignore him. The woman was able to break away and was not hurt, officers say.

This is the third time a female jogger has been assaulted in this area in the last 14 months. On Sept. 26, 2013, a woman was jogging in the 1400-block of East Valley Lane around 6 a.m. when a man grabbed her and dragged her to the ground. She was able to escape without injury. Then, on Oct. 11, 2013, a woman was jogging early in the morning in the same area when a man grabbed her and forced her to the ground. She fought back and a man jogging on the same path stopped to help her. That woman also escaped uninjured.

"We walk the lake in the morning and you feel better if you have a companion," said Eileen Owens.

"I think we've both noticed that over the past year the number of people that are walking the lake has diminished," Nancy Nosal said. "There aren't as many people out here walking."

Police say the suspect in all three attacks appears to be the same man. They described him as a Hispanic man, approximately 6 feet tall and 35 years old wearing dark clothing.

Police also advised women who jog in the area to avoid running after dark, be aware of their surroundings, don't wear headphones if running alone and, if running at night, not to run alone.