A woman was attacked in broad daylight Friday while jogging at the Point Dume Preserve State Park.
By Laura Tate / Editor
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s officials released a sketch of a man who reportedly sexually assaulted a woman while she was jogging at the Point Dume Preserve State Park Friday last week about noon.
The suspect fled in the victim’s white with silver trim, 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser with the license number 1VBA918, according to a press release from the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station. The suspect is still believed to be in the possession of the victim’s car. The incorrect license number was given at first, which Sheriff’s detectives made it difficult to try and track the vehicle.
“Hopefully, with the correct license we’ll be able to get this guy,” Sheriff’s Lt. Scott Chew said Tuesday.
A local resident who lives in the area said he talked to several witnesses who heard the woman’s cries. The victim had been reportedly jogging in the park and at the conclusion of her run she walked to the edge of a cliff and was then grabbed from behind by the suspect, who, she told authorities, attempted to sexually assault her. She struggled and was able to break free, and in the process of evading the attacker she ran down a hillside and jumped an unknown distance, and slid down the cliff.
The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment. She sustained abrasions and bruises predominantly from the fall down the face of the cliff. LASD Crime Lab personnel are processing evidence at the crime scene.
The victim described her attacker as a white male, possibly Hispanic, approximately 35- to 40 years old, 5-feet, 10-inches tall, 200 lbs. with a stocky build. He has light colored eyes and no front teeth, and was wearing a black leather jacket with blue jeans and was barefoot.
Anyone with information about this crime should contact the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff Station at 818.878.1808 and ask for Detective Tom Lewis.
Point Dume is usually a quiet community, although in the past there have been complaints of parties getting out of control in certain parts of the neighborhood. A shooting took place in 2008 during which residents said they were defending themselves from three intruders who walked into their home. No one was hurt in the incident.
In 2001 a legal battle between the City of Malibu and the Coastal Commission regarding improving public access to Point Dume Preserve State Park was settled. It was feared that improving access with parking spaces and removing boulders that blocked access to the area and shuttle buses would bring “more transient traffic to the community.”