Ann Arbor boy taken into custody in jogger attack investigation

By Lee Higgins Crime and courts reporter

Posted on Sat, Aug 22, 2009 : 12:47 p.m.

A 16-year-old Ann Arbor boy was jailed today after authorities say he tackled a woman while she was jogging Thursday and attempted to rape her.

The juvenile was apprehended about 10 a.m. after investigators followed up on a tip received Friday night, Ann Arbor police Det. Sgt. Pat Hughes said.

The 23-year-old victim, who is a graduate student instructor at the University of Michigan, fought off the attacker and was not injured in the 8:40 p.m. incident behind Slauson Middle School on West Washington Street, police said.

She bit one of his fingers and yelled at him, scaring him away, the report said.

The attacker grabbed her from behind, took her to the ground in a grassy area, then attempted to take off her jogging pants, the report said.

She yelled at him to "stop and get off of her" and bit him, according to the report.

The attacker told her he would let her go if she stopped biting and asked if she was going to call police, the report said.

The woman told him she wouldn't out of fear, police said. She got up, ran home and called police.

The attack occurred as she was running east on the street from Crest Street toward 8th Street.

The woman was wearing headphones; she told police she doesn't think anyone in the area saw the incident.

She said she didn't know whether the bite broke the skin and wasn't sure which finger she bit, according to the report.

No similar incidents have occurred in the area, police spokeswoman Lt. Angella Abrams said Friday. Officers stepped up patrols in the area after the attack.

"If you can, jog with a partner," Abrams said. "And most running professionals advise that you not run with headphones on because it inhibits your ability to hear your surroundings."

Anyone with information can call the department's tip line at (734) 794-6939.