The Cobleskill Village Police are searching for the person who attacked a woman on MacArthur Avenue early Friday morning.
Police said they located a group of people in a dark, grassy area on East MacArthur Avenue at about 2:25am Friday. Police interviewed some of the people and learned that one of them, a 22-year-old woman, had been the victim of an attempted rape.
The woman told police that she left her home on Main Street in the village at about 2am, police said. She said she crossed Main Street and was walking south on South Grand Street towards MacArthur Avenue.
She said she heard someone coming up from behind her but she did not turn around to see who it was, police said. As she reached the intersection of South Grand Street and East MacArthur Avenue, she was attacked from behind by the unknown person.
The woman was able to break free and ran east on East MacArthur Avenue, police said. She was caught again by her attacker and pushed to the ground.
The attacker then tore away some of the woman’s clothing but was interrupted and scared off by the headlights of an oncoming vehicle passing the area, police said. The woman said the attacker was last seen running off in a westerly direction towards South Grand Street.
Police said that at this time, the only description they have is that the attacker was wearing a hoodie-type jacket of unknown color. The sex of the attacker has not yet been determined.
The woman was not injured and refused any medical treatment and was released to family members, police said.
The Police are seeking any assistance from anyone who was in the area of Main Street, South Grand Street and East MacArthur Avenue between 1:45 and 2am and have information regarding the incident.
Those with information should contact the police at 234-2923 or 234-2111.
Police said they had a similar incident reported in November 2009 in which a woman was pushed from behind in the same area.
In that incident, the attacker attempted to steal the woman’s purse. The woman was able to retain her purse and ran away without being harmed, police said.
The two incidents may be connected, police said.
Police said residents who go out after dark should practice the following precautions: always walk in well-lit, well-traveled areas; when walking, especially at night, walk with a friend, if possible; always be aware of your surroundings; always let someone know where you are going and your route of travel; look between vehicles as you pass them; and, most importantly, always think safety first.