Tourist Beaten On Stevens Creek Trail; Suspect At Large: Police

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA -- A woman visiting from Massachusetts was seriously injured from an assault on the Stevens Creek Trail late Monday evening, the police department reported.

Just before 10 p.m., the victim was approached from behind on the trail near the bridge to Creekside Park located at Gladys Avenue and Easy Street by an unknown man who introduced himself as “Jerry.” When he tried to engage in conversation with the woman, she refused to interact with the man, police indicated from the investigation.

The suspect then grabbed her and pushed her into the bushes several feet off of the trail, where he punched her repeatedly in the face. While attacking her, a pair walking along the trail spotted the man, and when they shouted out to him, he became distracted. The victim was able to bite the man as he was trying to muffle her screams, police added. She jumped up, escaped from the man and found refuge with the couple.

According to the witnesses, the suspect then walked away south on the trail under State Route 85. Officers immediately responded to the area and began an extensive search, both with patrol teams and a K9 unit.

The man remains at large.

The woman was treated for serious injuries to her face.

She described the suspect as a black man, between 20- and 30 years old, standing about 6 feet tall with a slender- to medium build. He was last seen with short hair and heard having a Caribbean accent. He was wearing a grey Golden State Warriors sweatshirt.

Police investigators are actively pursuing this case and seek information on the suspect. Anyone with information on the identity and the whereabouts of the suspect is being asked to contact Detective Robert Medina at robert.medina@mountainview.gov.