Police are warning people to be careful as they use a popular walkway between Georgetown and Arlington after police say a man tried to sexually assault a woman early Sunday.
A woman was attacked about 2:30 a.m. Sunday as she walked across the Key Bridge, Arlington County police said Monday.
"It's a brazen attack. It's very scary for the female in this case," police department spokeswoman Ashley Savage said.
The 27-year-old woman was walking toward Arlington when a man walked toward her. She passed him and then he grabbed her from behind, police said. The attacker pulled the woman off the sidewalk toward grass near George Washington Memorial Parkway.
"Once he pulled her off to the side, he attempted to place his hands up her shorts," Savage said. "The female victim fought back. When she did, he put his hands over her mouth to muffle her screams."
"She continued to fight back and she was able to free herself," Savage continued.
The attacker then ran over the bridge and into D.C., police said.
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Arlington police are checking with D.C. police if any similar attacks have been reported in the District, and police are warning people who walk over the bridge to be careful.
"When you're out and about, especially at night, we encourage you to walk with another person if you're going to be on foot," Savage said.
Anyone with information on the incident or the identity of the attacker is asked to call 703-228-4240 or email ricolari@arlingtonva.us. To report information anonymously, contact the Arlington County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.
