Man sought in attack on female jogger in West Covina

WEST COVINA -- Police asked the public's help Wednesday in tracking down a man who grabbed female jogger in broad daylight and pulled her into some bushes before she managed to fight her way free late last month.

A 29-year-old woman was jogging about 3:30 p.m. on March 30 at Tuesday Drive and Missouri Street when she was grabbed from behind, West Covina police Cpl. Rudy Lopez said in a written statement.

"The victim was then pulled into the bushes by the suspect," Lopez said. "The victim fought with the suspect and managed to break away."

The woman, who was not hurt, described her attacker as Latino man in his 30s or 40s with dark features, about 5 feet 7 inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes, police said. He spoke with a thick Spanish accent.

The attacker was last spotted fleeing northeast on Tuesday Drive toward Shakespeare Drive.

Lopez said police are looking into the possibility the March 30 attack might be related to a series of other attempted and successful sexual assaults dating back to 2001.

A 17-year-old girl was on her way to school on Shadow Oak Drive in January of 2009 when she was attacked by a man and sexually assaulted, officials said. The suspect was described only as a Latino man of about 5 feet 8 inches tall and 160 pounds.

An 18-year-old woman was alone at a bus stop on Shadow Oak Drive in October of 2001 when she was attacked from behind by a Latino man in his 20's or 30s, about 5 feet 7 inches tall and of medium build, Lopez said. She managed to struggle her way free from her attacker.

A 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted while walking to school on Shadow Oak Drive in September of 2001, police added. Again, the suspect description was somewhat vague, but similar to the other cases.

"It is possible that there have been additional events that went unreported to the police," Lopez said.

Anyone with information about any of the cases is asked to call the West Covina Police Department at 626-939-8557. Tips can also be left anonymously via a recorded message at 626-939-8688.