Keene police looking for man who attacked jogging woman

Police are looking for a man who attacked a woman while jogging in the Johnson County town of Keene.

The woman was jogging with friends Sunday morning but became separated. Police say that's when the man attacked. They believe it was an attempted abduction.

Johnathan Wall has lived in Keene for nearly a decade. He is truly shocked by this weekend's police alert about a woman attacked while jogging through town.

“It's a good reminder, but also I'm not sure if it's indicative of the daily routine that happens here,” Wall said.

Police say the attack happened around 6:30 a.m. Sunday. A woman was jogging Northbound on FM 2280 when she got separated from her two friends who were jogging with her. That’s when a man parked on the opposite side of the road and got out of his car.

"She said as he got past her, she could hear him turn around. He grabbed her from behind, placed his hand over her mouth, and she struggled with him,” explained Keene Police Chief Emmit Jackson. “She believed he was trying to push her towards his vehicle. Once she was able to get away from him, she fell to the ground and yelled out for her friends."

The woman’s friends ran back toward her. The man ran to his car and drove off.  Police say the man didn't ask for any money so it's being treated as an attempted abduction.

It's a good reminder for Fa Niua. She walks her dog along the same stretch of road where the attack happened.

“You should always be aware, especially if you're a woman,” Niua said. “Even in groups, always be prepared. Pepper spray or learn some kind of safety attack just in case something happens to you."

The suspect’s description is vague. He’s believed to be medium build and about 5’ 6” to 5’ 8” tall wearing a red shirt or red hat. What's unclear is whether the suspect is someone in Keene or someone just passing through.