Send us Tips

Police search Green Lake for man who grabbed a jogger

What do you think? (8 Comments) March 19, 2011 at 11:53PM

Updated, 4:45 p.m. Sunday

At 11:14 p.m. tonight (Saturday, March 19, 2011), we received a tip via twitter that police were searching Green Lake Park, near the Aqua Theater.

At 11:40 p.m, we heard via the police scanner that the search had continued, and had moved to the south Green Lake neighborhood. One or more helicopters could be heard in the area.

From Jonah Spangenthal-Lee, posted on SeattleCrime.com at 11:38 p.m.:

Police are searching near Greenlake for a man who grabbed a female jogger in the park late Saturday night.

According to police, the man pulled the woman to the ground, but she was able to fight him off.

The man apparently told the woman he thought she was someone else, and then fled the scene.

The woman left the park and called 911.

Officers searched Greenlake with a K-9 unit, but as of 11:30 pm, they had not located the suspect.

There have been a number of attacks on women in Seattle parks over the last few months. Police don’t yet know if this one might be related.

Thanks to Amy at Mygreenlake.com for the tip.

Update, Sunday, 4:45 p.m.: KIRO 7 reports that police were unable to locate the suspect.

Author:
Location: Green Lake Park, South Green Lake, West Green Lake
Topics:
What do you think? (8 Comments)
  • tangerine

    Women, especially shouldn’t be at Green Lake alone that late at night. I wish they would catch this guy, but it seems like there is always another sicko ready to take his place. We can’t always do what we think we ‘should’ be able to do, at least not safely.

    • Carnation

      I agree. Women really need to be cautious. Didn’t they catch a guy who did the same thing to women in the South end?

    • northseattlesarah

      Women should be strong, alert, and run around the lake at whatever time is convenient for them. They shouldn’t have to worry about this. I feel like this is just one more incident to make women timid and scared when we shouldn’t be. What we neeeeed is more people running around the lake later at night, or early in the morning, helping to deter the creeps instead of being too scared to go out!

      • Greenlake resident

        I agree with what you are saying in theory – but realistically most people are at home and do not want to run the lake at 11:00 at nite because besides it not being safe – it is cold and dark, so not much fun. I wish I could go around the lake whenever I want – but I have to play it smart – there are lots of things I wish I could do – and even though i am strong and alert – sometimes that isnt enough – I wish it was different -

      • Greenlake resident

        I agree with what you are saying in theory – but realistically most people are at home and do not want to run the lake at 11:00 at nite because besides it not being safe – it is cold and dark, so not much fun. I wish I could go around the lake whenever I want – but I have to play it smart – there are lots of things I wish I could do – and even though i am strong and alert – sometimes that isnt enough – I wish it was different -

  • Anonymous

    Women, like anyone else, should be smart, alert and not make themselves a target when they are out in the park night or any other time. Bet neither should they (we) live in fear and hand our community park over to a sociopath or a terrorist.

    Maybe there should be more lights, maybe more call boxes. Post information about what to look for and what to do. Neighborhood watches and warning to the crazies that we care about our community enough to look out for our neighbors.

    Don’t just tell women to stay home and be afraid. Come together as a community and do something to make our park safer for everyone.

  • northseattlesarah

    I actually love the “call box” idea – reminds of being back at college, all over campus we had poles with bright blue lights on them. If anyone was in danger walking alone, they could hit the button on the pole, and police would come within about 2 minutes. (there was a HUGE fine plus other punishments to deter idiots pressing the button for no reason)

  • tangerine

    In this economy, call boxes are pretty unlikely, but the web should make it possible to find more people interested in late night & early morning runs. I’m a fan of safety in numbers.