COLUMBUS – Police say a woman who was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint while walking on the Northwest Side Saturday morning escaped from her attacker with the help of some passers-by as he was trying to drag her into a nearby wooded area.
The 26-year-old woman was walking on the Olentangy Trail north of Dublin Road at approximately 11:05 a.m. when she was approached from behind by a man who produced a firearm and took her cell phone, said detectives with the Columbus police Robbery Unit.
The man tried to pull the woman toward the woods, but she was able to signal a jogger for help. The witness flagged down two men and asked for their assistance and, as they approached, the suspect released the victim and fled south on the trail.
The woman and the first witness fled north and contacted the police.
The suspect was described as black, 28-35 years old, 5’10” tall, medium build, medium skin tone, lighter brown eyes, wearing a blue hoodie, green jogger style sweatpants, blue and white Nike Jordan tennis shoes, a blue medical mask, and was armed with a small black handgun.
Anyone with information is request to contact the Columbus Police Robbery Unit at 614-645-4665 or Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS(8477).