Police in Alexandria, Va., are investigating a spike in sexual assaults of women out walking alone.
The latest attack happened late Thursday night near the intersection of Van Dorn Street and Courtney Avenue, police said. At least two other women were assaulted in recent weeks, and the attacks are growing increasingly violent.
When a 20-year-old woman was attacked Thursday night, the area was likely dark and desolate, police said. She got off a bus at Eisenhower and Van Dorn about 11:30 p.m.
At Courtney Avenue a short walk later, she was caught off guard by a strange man.
“He displayed a knife and demanded money, and when the victim said, ‘I don't have money to give you,’ he grabbed her, threw her over the guardrail into the bushes, where he began to sexually assault her,” said Jody Donaldson of Alexandria police.
Concern is growing because Alexandria police are investigating three attacks on women in the past month. Thursday’s was the most violent.
The other too happened near Holmes Run Parkway about two miles away, and detectives said they don't believe those are connected to Thursday night’s attack. Those victims managed to get away.
Police described the culprit as Hispanic, in his late 20s or early 30s, about 5-foot-7, and 150 pounds with short black hair and clean shaven. He wore a dark brown T-shirt, blue jeans, tennis shoes and black-framed glasses.
