PROVO, Utah (ABC 4 News) – Another attack on the Provo River Trail brings warnings from police for joggers. A woman in her early 20s was attacked and raped Monday night around 9:20 while running along on the trail near 970 West 800 North. Police say she was jogging alone with a man dressed in black jumped out of the shrubbery dressed in all black and armed with a knife.
Provo Police Department Information Officer Sgt. Mathew Suifanua said, “An individual jumped out in front of her, actually dragging her off the trail. He pulled out a knife and he said he was going to fix her face.”
The man raped the woman and cut her on her face, neck, arms and body. He’s described as a Caucasian or Hispanic male, 6’ or 6’1” and weighing between 180 and 190 pounds. He was wearing black shoes, black sweatpants and a black sweatshirt cinched around his face.
One woman who lives in the area jogs all the time but says after the attack two years ago that nearly took a woman’s life, she never goes alone. Lexi Allred said, “I grew up by Provo Canyon and I used to run up the canyon on my own, but these last few years I don’t. I don’t go alone anymore.
Provo police have done what they can to make the trail safe. Sgt. Suifanua says officers conduct patrols on the trail every day either by car, motorcycle, bicycle or on foot. Park curfews are also being strictly enforced. “We have established relationships with various agencies including Parks and Rec., Utah County Sheriff’s Office, and local associations to clear the trail of underbrush,” writes Suifanua, “making the trail more transparent and safe for those who walk the path.”
The best defense against attack is common sense suggests Suifanua. He said, “everybody who is running on the trail if you are doing it at night time take a friend with you, take a cell phone so you’ll be able to call police or someone for help.”
