OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — A woman running on Indian Creek Trail said a man grabbed her arm Tuesday night.
The woman was running on the trail at about 8 p.m. near 119th and Quivira in Overland Park.
The woman told police she was approached by a man who asked her for the time. As she looked down at her watch, the man grabbed her wrist.
The woman told police she managed to break free and kept running.The suspect is described as a white man, slim build with dark hair, wearing a dark zip up hoodie, dark jeans and glasses.
She reportedly told police the man didn't try to pull her off the trail.
Police searched the area, but didn't find anyone who matched the woman's description.
In the early stages, police were considering the possibility that the man needed help in some way, possibly medically, and was trying to grab the woman to get her attention.
Officials did not immediately release any further information on the incident.
Also Tuesday, Topeka law enforcement were looking for a man accused of approaching woman along a local trail. There were no immediate updates to their investigation.
Metro-based self defense organization T.A.K.E. Foundation Defense Training offers these tips for women or men who find themselves in a situation like the one Overland Park police are investigating:
- Try to avoid jogging alone
- Avoid taking obscured shortcut paths
- If your schedule permits, jog while it's still light out
- If you feel threatened, run toward a crowd or busy area
T.A.K.E. Defense offers women self defense classes for a donation. The next scheduled classes are November 11 and 18. Click here for more information.
The Kansas City, Missouri police department periodically offers free self defense classes. The next two session are fully booked. Consider checking with the police department or sheriff's office in your city to find out what they offer and how to sign up.
IN THE NEWS
In late August, police announced an arrest in connection to a series of killings along the Indian Creek Trail.
Prosecutors filed murder charges in connection to two of these homicides, but the others were open cases as of late September.
