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Man Suspect Of Inappropriately Touching Female Joggers

DENVER (CBS4) - Denver police is increasing patrols in the neighborhoods around City Park and sharing safety reminders after seven different recent reports of unlawful sexual contact.

They say a man is targeting female joggers in the area who are jogging alone and touching them inappropriately.

"A majority of the time it appears he's coming up from behind, they're not seeing him, he's coming up and touching them inappropriately and then fleeing on foot," said Denver Police spokesman Sonny Jackson.

The most recent incident happened at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The suspect told police she was approached by a young man in the 2000 block East 21st Avenue. Police are not saying specifically in what way the woman was groped, but after the crime the man ran off towards City Park.

Sketch
(credit: Denver police)

The description of the suspect provided by the victim matches that of the suspect in six other reported crimes dating back to Jan. 5.

Police provided the following times, dates and locations of all of the related crimes they are investigating:

Jan. 5, 10:40 a.m.: 3800 block of Adams Street
Jan. 18, 4:15 p.m.: 1100 block of East 23rd Avenue
Feb. 9, 8:32 p.m.: 1800 block of East 26th Avenue
Feb. 11, 6:07 p.m.: near the intersection of East 16th Avenue and North St. Paul Street
Feb. 11, 7:46 p.m.: near the intersection of East 23rd Avenue and North York Street
March 9, 6:53 p.m.: near the intersection of East 25th Avenue and North Race Street
March 11, 11:30 a.m.: 2000 block East 21st Avenue

City Park Attacks
(credit: CBS)

Police released a sketch of the suspect in Wednesday's attack. He was described as follows:

- Man, 18 to 24 years old
- Medium skin complexion
- 5-foot 8
- Weight: 140 to 150 pounds
- Short dark hair
- Dark eyes with dark circles under them
- Thick dark eyebrows

Officers handed out crime alert flyers with the suspect's sketch to neighbors after Wednesday's crime.

"Right now this is unlawful sexual contact but could he go further... that is a possibility but we don't want to assume anything but we feel if people take the right precautions and if anyone sees anything, call us right away," said Jackson.

Several joggers CBS4 interviewed on Thursday said they are concerned about the attacks.

Additional Resources

Denver police released the following information about this case:

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers 720-913-STOP.

They also shared the following safety tips:

- Remain alert/aware of your surroundings and the people in your vicinity at all times. Trust your instincts.
- Remember it's safer to walk or jog with someone else.
- Travel on major sidewalks along major streets and avoid shortcuts.
- Travel in well lit areas at night.

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