Teen Breaks Free From Man Who Grabbed Her at Patterson Pass Road

Police are reminding residents to be aware of their surroundings around a popular jogging route after a teenage girl broke free from a man who grabbed her Sunday afternoon.

Officers were notified of the incident at 4:30 p.m.

The teen was walking in the area of Mines and Patterson Pass Roads when she was approached by a man, Sgt. Jason Boberg said.

"He engaged her in conversation and asked her a few questions," Boberg said. "The man didn't say anything overly sexual or inappropriate."

The man then asked the teen if she wanted to go jogging.

"She wasn't interested and when she went to walk away he grabbed her arm," Boberg said. "The teen was able to pull away and run."

Police are calling the incident suspicious.

The man is described as being Hispanic, about 40 years old, standing 5 feet 5 inches tall, average build and with a chipped front tooth.

He was last seen wearing large sunglasses, a grey zip-up hooded sweatshirt, black pants and running shoes.

Similar incidents have been reported near the area of Sunday's incident.

Boberg said there have been four incidents reported in the past years on Patterson Pass Road, between Mines and Vasco Roads, where women said they were grabbed by a man while jogging.

"None of the previous incidents went any further than grabbing," Boberg said.

No arrests were made in the previous incidents.

Furthermore, police do not have any information that specifically links Sunday's incident with the previous reports, Boberg said.

"If you see anyone suspicious hanging out in the bushes, loitering or who doesn't appear to fit in the area, give the police department a ring and let us check it out," Boberg said. "We want to remind people who jog with headphones on to be cognizant of their surroundings, and be aware of what's coming up and what's behind them."