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Woman Escapes Attacker In Denver Neighborhood

DENVER (CBS4) – A woman escaped after allegedly being attacked in a busy neighborhood Thursday afternoon.

The woman had just finished parking her car on the street near 11th Avenue and Galapago Street when she says a man with a gun forced her into an alley.

"Our victim was approached by a suspect who asked her for directions and she turned to answer him. He then grabbed her from behind, pressed a gun to her head and dragged her into a nearby alley," said Jon White from the Denver Police Department.

It happened just before 2 p.m.

The gunman took the woman's cellphone, and she apparently fought like crazy so she would not be sexually assaulted.

"My understanding is she did what she needed to do to get away, which was to fight," said White.

A woman who works nearby said word spread quickly that police were investigating an assault.

"We always kind of look over our shoulder anyway, but now it's definitely alarming," the woman told CBS4.

People in the neighborhood are now taking extra precautions.

"We make rules now that we can't come outside alone. We have to stick together. Try not to be here when it's dark," she said.

The suspect is described as a black male, five-foot-ten, 160 pounds, wearing a black beanie style hat, black jacket and a blue-grey colored scarf.

Police are reminding people to always be aware of their surroundings.

"Look to see if there's any individuals that appear to be suspicious to you and sometimes we each kind of get this feeling in your gut that something doesn't feel quite right, well listen to that," said White.

Police said if you're traveling alone it's okay to ignore someone who might be dangerous and get yourself to a safe place.

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