Mt. Baker
tunnel suspect
After the attacks on four women in Seattle parks and trails the past few weeks, police are urging women to take measures to ensure their safety.
All of the attacks have occurred after dark against women who were jogging or running alone. The locations — Colman Park, Seward Park and Mt. Baker tunnel area — are all along the western shore of Lake Washington.
Although none of the assaults involved women on bicycles, a Nov. 16 attack occurred near the east entrance of the Mount Baker tunnel, an area used by many bicycle commuters.
When a half dozen bicyclists were pulled off their bikes and mugged in the Mount Baker tunnel area during a period in 2008 and 2009, police and bike advocates urged that bicyclists ride in groups through the area. Riding with a pal or in a group is probably a good idea these days, too.
Police Department spokesman Jeff Kappel told the Seattle Times:
“Be safe and use good judgment. If you can avoid walking or jogging in darkness, do it. Run with a group or at least one companion. Carry a flashlight and a cellphone, and have 911 on speed-dial. Stay out of areas that are poorly lit, where you could be vulnerable.”
In the Nov. 16 assault, the Seattle police blotter reports that a 32-year-old woman walking alone near the entrance of the east end of the Mount Baker tunnel was confronted by a man.
“The suspect approached the victim and drew a small folding knife. The suspect proceeded to grab the victim and drag her into some nearby bushes, where he attempted to sexually assault her. The victim fought off her attacker and was able to make her escape by running onto the express lanes of I-90 and into the Mount Baker tunnel, where she was contacted by responding officers who subsequently provided her assistance.
“The victim, a 32-year-old Seattle resident, suffered a stab wound in the arm and cuts, scrapes and scratches. She was subsequently transported to Harborview Medical Center for treatment.”
“The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his 20′s, approximately 5’6″ tall, 170 pounds, slender build, dark eyes and was wearing a black watch cap which covered his forehead and hair. During the encounter the suspect spoke only Spanish but appeared to understand English when the victim spoke to him in English.”
The Seattle Times summarized the other assaults:
— A woman jogging near Lake Washington Boulevard South in Colman Park was grabbed by a man at 5:12 p.m. Dec. 7. She kicked, screamed and broke free.
— A woman was grabbed from behind by a man at about 6 p.m. Oct. 11 in Seward Park.
— A woman walking her dog on Lakeside Avenue South was assaulted by a man who tried to pull her to a spot under the I-90 overpass. He fled after hitting her on the head.
Police don't know if all the assaults were committed by the same man. Police produced the sketch above of the suspect in the Mount Baker tunnel assault.
Generally, Seattle parks and trails are safe places to go. These days, however, it's a good idea to be cautious there after dark.
There's also a discussion of this at BikeForums.net .
Recent Comments