Sep 28, 2009 11:13 pm US/Central
Shoreview Assault May Be Linked To Nearby Attack
SHOREVIEW, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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Police say the woman who was assaulted on a trail inside Grass Lake Park got away without being badly hurt. Her attacker got away, too.
CBS
Police are looking into two attacks on women exercising in Twin Cities parks. Both happened in the morning.
The most recent attack was 8 a.m. Sunday at Grass Lake Park in Shoreview.
"Being in an area like this you're a little bit off the beaten trail. As you can kind of see it's a little bit secluded back in here," said Alec Diehl of Shoreview.
Police say the woman who was assaulted on a trail inside Grass Lake Park got away without being badly hurt. Her attacker got away, too.
"Something like that in this area, just -- it's unheard of. You don't hear about it everyday," said Diehl.
But a similar incident did take place last month, just two miles away, inside Sucker Lake Park in Vadnais Heights. In that case too, the woman got away and so did the attacker.
Most who come to the area say they feel safe. Not only is there a Ramsey County Sheriff compound at the entrance of the park, most everyone WCCO-TV spoke with say they know the people who fish, walk the trails and ride their bikes there.
But with two attacks within two miles of one another, people who frequent both parks say they are on alert.
"We keep an eye on things and if something is not right we don't ever hesitate to make a phone call," said Diehl.
Police want people to be aware of their surroundings.
"I don't come down here alone," said park visitor Terry Lane-Goeltl.
Having an extra set of eyes with you while exercising is ideal.
"I would say bring a dog or bring a friend," said Lane-Goeltl.
While the investigation continues, police still want people to be able to enjoy the parks.
Neither woman got a good look at her attacker. One thought he was in his 40s. The other thought he was between 25 and 35. Police aren't sure if the cases are connected.
If you have information regarding either attack, contact the Ramsey County Sheriff's office at (651) 266-9540.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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