A woman in Belleville, Illinois, was attacked recently along a bike path near Southwestern Illinois College. The victim managed to get away unharmed but the assault has authorities wary of a repeat offense, Fox affiliate KTVI reports.The incident occurred around 5:45 p.m. while it was still light out. Investigators say the suspect came up from behind the victim and knocked her down before trying to get on top of her. She was able to fight him off and took off in the opposite direction to alert other people using the trail.
"Fortunately there were some other people on the bike path actually riding bicycles. They came to her assistance. They came up to her and the black male subject just ran off," Belleville police captain Don Sax told the news source.
Individuals who like to go running or jogging by themselves may want to buy pepper spray as an added personal safety measure. Experts suggest keeping it in an easy-to-reach location, so that if it ever has to be used, it can be grabbed quickly.
