Crime & Courts

Police searching for man who they believe attacked 2 women on Anchorage trail

Police in Anchorage are searching for a man they say tried to sexually assault two women on the Chester Creek Trail near Valley of the Moon Park earlier this week.

The two women, who were each attacked within a day of each other, told police a man came up behind them, grabbed them and tried to pull their clothes off.

“The victims were able to break away from contact, and the suspect fled on foot,” Anchorage police spokeswoman Kendra Doshier said in an email Thursday. Neither woman was injured, Doshier said.

Police said they believe the attempted assaults were committed by the same man, who Doshier said was unknown to both women who were targeted.

“Detectives immediately began investigating and based on the evidence collected, including the suspect description, they believe these two incidents are linked,” Doshier said.

Police described the suspect as a white man between the ages of 20 and 30 with brown hair. He might also have facial hair and glasses, police said.

On Tuesday night, when the first attack happened, the man was wearing a black graphic T-shirt, a hat and glasses, police said. At the time, he was walking a dog police described as “pug-like.”

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The following night, when police say the man attacked a second time, he was wearing a blue T-shirt, possibly blue shorts, and running shoes. The dog was not with him.

Additional officers, including officers patrolling the trail system on bikes, are working to find the man, police said.

Police asked anyone with information to call dispatch at 311 or, to report anonymously, call 907-561-STOP or report online at AnchorageCrimeStoppers.com.

Madeline McGee

Madeline McGee is a general assignment reporter for the Daily News.

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