JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police in Jacksonville believe they have found the hooded jacket worn by a man they said tried to kidnap a jogger last month.
Investigators said the attempted abduction happened about 6:15 p.m. Jan. 30 on Timberlin Park Boulevard, off Southside Boulevard between Baymeadows Road and Philips Highway.
Investigators said the 25-year-old woman was jogging in the area when she passed a man sitting on a park bench near the entrance of a subdivision. She made eye contact with him and kept on running. Then about 1,000 feet after she passed him, she knew somebody was following her, police said.
The man came up behind her, struck her four times in the head, and tried to drag her into the woods, police said.
Investigators said the man told the woman to be quiet, but made few other comments. She broke free, and someone driving by stopped and called police, investigators said.
"We feel like his motives were most likely sex related, to do that that time of day," said Chief Tom Hackney, of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Police released a composite sketch of the man several weeks ago, which they said has brought them some leads. Hackney said those leads from residents of the area has helped them recover the hoodie they believe was worn by the man at the time of the attack.
Hackney said the jacket was purchased from Dillard's at Regency Square Mall. He said Dillard's has provided police a replica of the hoodie (pictured, above).
"This is leading us pretty close to where we're going to think we're going to be able to lay hands on this suspect," Hackney said. "I feel like the suspect in this case has probably had discussions with somebody and had to explain where his missing hoodie is, because we have it."
The hoodie is a Roundtree & Yorke, which is Dillard's house brand. It's an extra long, two extra large from the Big and Tall men's section of the store, and is charcoal gray or black.
The man is described as between 18 and 25 years old, about 5 feet 9 inches tall and 180 pounds, with brown hair. He was described as having a "baby face."
Police said the man is a smoker and may be smoking Camel cigarettes. Hackney said he believes the man is familiar with the area and possibly lives there or has family there.
A red pickup truck in the area had no role in the attack, police said.
The man is being sought on an aggravated battery charge.
Anyone with any information on his identity is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.