Teen jogger escapes attempted abduction

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 19-year-old running along Old Middleburg Road on Monday afternoon told police a man in an SUV grabbed her and tried to force her in his vehicle.

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, the woman was jogging about 4:10 p.m. when a man in a Blue Chevrolet Suburban slowed down beside her and yelled, "Where are you going?" She said she continued running, but he stopped, got out, grabbed her by the arms and attempted to force her into the SUV.

She freed herself from his grip but said the man punched her in the right eye before she could get away. She said she heard two gunshots as she was running away, but she wasn't sure if they were coming from the same man. 

The teen said the SUV then sped west on Old Middleburg Road.

The victim ran to the Canterbury Apartments and called her ex-boyfriend to come get her. She called police more than 90 minutes later.

Police say the woman described her attacker as a black man, 30 to 40 years old, balding but clean-shaven. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and jeans.

"You wouldn't think that someone would be so bold as to pull over where you can identify their vehicle," said Angela Gainous, a resident in the area. "And also (attack) the person during the day."

Gainous said this is a reminder for all women to be careful, "And that we need to be aware of our surroundings at all times and be aware of what's gong on in the community."

Anyone with information about the attempted kidnapping or saw anything suspicious along Old Middleburg Road on Tuesday afternoon is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.