Police Release Suspect Sketch In Case Of Jogger Attacked In Hines Park

LIVONIA (WWJ) - Livonia police have released a sketch of a man who allegedly tried to rape a woman while she was jogging in Hines Park over Labor Day weekend.

According to investigators, the 28-year old victim was headed east on the Edward Hines Drive bicycle path, west of Levan, at 7:25 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4, when a man grabbed her by the neck, hit her in the face and began dragging her into the woods toward the Rouge River.

While she struggled, the man allegedly tried to take the woman's clothes off, telling her he wanted to have sex — but the woman was able to fight him off.  She flagged down a passing motorist and used his phone to call 911 while the suspect fled on foot, headed east, police said.

Officers rushed to the scene but weren't able to find the suspect.

He's described as black male, around 28 to 30 years old, 5 feet, 10 inches tall and 180 lbs., clean-shaven, with short dark hair and a muscular build. He was wearing a tight-fitting black or gray compression-style shirt and dark-colored cargo shorts.

Capt. Robert Nencarini said there have been no similar attacks reported in Livonia and there are no suspects at this time.

"We've haven't had anything like this that we're aware of, and we actually did a live lineup with the serial rapist from Dearborn to eliminate him. He has been eliminated in this case," Nencarini.

He said those who use the Hines Park trail should use caution while this wanted man is still at large.

"If the hair on the back of your neck stands up as you're approaching somebody, maybe you should turn around and run the other way for a little bit; or, you know, instead of going down onto the path and maybe stay up on the road for that section before you go back onto that path," Nencarini said.

"There's parts of that path that curve off the road a little bit and that's where this happened, and so it was a little more of a secluded area."

Anyone who recognizes the man in the sketch or who has any information about this crime is asked to call the Livonia Police Department at 734-466-2470.