TAYLORSVILLE, Utah — Unified Police are looking for a man who they say attacked a woman in broad daylight as she was walking on the Jordan River Trail in Taylorsville Thursday afternoon.
Unified Sgt. Melody Gray said the woman was attacked just before 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
Gray said the woman was startled by someone coming up behind her and stopped, but then the attacker bear-hugged her and began hip thrusting her from behind.
The woman started screaming and fighting back, eventually biting the suspect on his forearm. He ran off and she called 911.
The victim described the attacker as a black male about 5’8” with a medium build. He was wearing a red t-shirt and black basketball shorts and probably has a bite mark on one of his arms.
Police say this may not be an isolated incident.
"We had similar incidents occurring last summer in the same area, so it is of a concern," Gray said.
Right now, the Special Victims Unit is determining if it's the same individual from last year.
Mary Taylor and her dog Bailey were walking along the same trail Friday without a care in the world.
"Today is a perfect day. You couldn’t ask for better weather. The sun’s out," Taylor said.
That is until we told her what happened 24 hours ago.
"I’m stunned, to tell you the truth," she said.
She's now considering extra protection.
"We’re out here every day. It makes me want to be a little more aware," Taylor said. "Maybe it’s time to go get some mace."
But Taylor is refusing to let this suspect scare her away.
"I don’t want to stop doing this. This is part of our day," she said.
If you know anything about this incident or who the suspect may be, please contact Unified Police.
