Six days after a male suspect attacked a 42-year-old Redmond woman on the Marymoor Park Trail, detectives from the Redmond Police Department (RPD) and the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) are working closely to locate the suspect.
KCSO Sgt. Cindi West released a sketch of the suspect (attached) on Wednesday morning.
The suspect jumped out of the bushes and grabbed the woman while she was walking her dog on the trail on Friday, according to West.
“This is our city. We’re very concerned and are trying to help them ID somebody,” said RPD public information officer Becky Range, who added that the victim told KCSO detectives that she believes the suspect is a transient.
Redmond police and other law enforcement officers responded to the reported assault near the 5100 block of Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast at about 7 p.m.
“The suspect punched the woman multiple times and dragged her into the tall grass east of the trail. The woman fought the suspect and yelled as he continued to strike her. A man walking on the trail nearby heard her yelling and went to investigate. The suspect fled on foot into the bushes,” West said in a press release.
“She aggressively fought back, which may have saved her life,” West added.
Police received a 911 call, arrived at the park and assisted with perimeter set up and initial aid. The woman, who received serious injuries to her face and a dislocated elbow, was taken to a nearby Overlake Medical Clinic for treatment.
West said the woman was admitted for a day or so. She added that the small dog the victim was walking is fine, but did not help when the woman was assaulted.
The suspect is described as a white male, mid-40s, approximately 5-foot-10, medium build, wearing a green and brown sleeveless shirt and unknown color pants or cargo shorts. He had blue eyes, was possibly balding or had thin hair and had an unknown tattoo on one arm and his shoes were left behind.
Redmond police and sheriff’s office units searched the area, but didn’t locate the suspect.
“We had K-9 and our helicopter out searching and we’ll send a bloodhound to the area again (Tuesday),” West said.
One commenter on the Reporter‘s Facebook page asked people to “Please be careful and walk with a buddy out there.”
West said she is not aware of any other assaults on the trail. She added that she’s been told that RPD and KCSO are aware people “living” in the area. Range said she’s checking with the RPD neighborhood resource officer about the situation.
“Marymoor is generally a safe area, but crimes can occur anywhere. We want to remind people to be aware of their surroundings. Do not walk the trails alone if possible and particularly not with headphones on. Do not be distracted by phones, etc. Walk in a well-lit area, preferably an area with lots of other people around. If you see something suspicious, walk the other way and call 911. We do not want people to be fearful, but CAUTIOUS and aware of their surroundings,” West said.
If anyone has information about this crime, they can call the sheriff’s office at (206) 296-3311.
