Man arrested on suspicion of attacking female jogger and stalking another

A 26-year-old George Town man remained in custody on Tuesday after he was arrested on suspicion of attacking one female jogger and stalking another, police have said.

Both incidents, which the police called “serious unwarranted attacks”, took place on Monday morning in George Town, according to a Royal Cayman Islands Police Service press release.

In the release issued Monday evening, police said they received a report just after 6:30am about a female jogger being attacked by a man on a bicycle on South Sound Road.

The woman first saw the man on South Church Street and then on South Sound Road. He grabbed her and pulled her into nearby bushes, police said. The woman fought off her attacker and managed to get away and call for assistance. Police said she sustained injuries in the attack but did not require medical assistance at the time.

Prior to this incident, around 6am, another woman reported being harassed by a man, of similar description, riding a bicycle in George Town, police said.

The man approached the woman, who was walking on Elgin Avenue, and started saying inappropriate things to her and acting suspiciously, the RCIPS said.

The woman then encountered the same man again on South Church Street, at which time she sought assistance from a security officer at a nearby condo and made a police report. She was not injured.

Police said both incidents are being treated as serious unwarranted attacks and “are being investigated with urgency”.

Cops urge other victims to come forward

Police have appealed for any victims who may have had similar experiences recently, but have not yet made a report, to come forward.

“The public, especially women, are being advised to be alert and ready to dial 9-1-1 at the first sign of suspicious behaviour that may prove to be dangerous while they are out walking or jogging,” the RCIPS statement added.

The police are also appealing for information from anyone who might have seen the incidents take place or saw a lone male riding a bike in the areas of South Church Street, Walkers Road or South Sound Road in the early morning of Monday, 3 Jan.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is encouraged to call the George Town Police Station at 949-4222.

RCIPS PERSONAL SAFETY TIPS WHEN EXERCISING OUTDOORS

 

• Do not run alone – You are less likely to be a target if you have company with you, so try to have someone with you at all times. Start a fitness group or get a fitness partner to share your scenic route with.
• Do not run with earphones – Staying alert and aware of your surroundings is key; you should be able to hear and properly observe who and what is around you.
• Mix up your running route – By switching things up often, it becomes a lot more difficult to predict where you will be if you have multiple routes. Ensure also that you memorise your route so that you know where you are going.
• Run against traffic – It’s always better for you to see what is heading toward you so you can move out of the way.
• Take self-defence classes – Learning self-defence will help to prepare you for unexpected situations. There are several facilities on island that teach self-defence on island.
• Always tell someone where you are going – In addition, time your runs and let that person know how roughly long your runs usually take.
• Stay on well-travelled and well-lit roads – Don’t take shortcuts through woods, poorly lit areas, etc. It is easier to be a target in an isolated area than one that has witnesses around and is well lit and possibly has traffic cameras.
• Have 9-1-1 accessible – Ensure that you can call the 9-1-1 Communications Centre even when your phone is on lock, and when you are out running, ensure that your phone location is on.