Two Women Attacked On Park Trails In Howard, Frederick Counties: Police

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — A woman reported being grabbed and hit while jogging on a trail in Centennial Park in the early morning hours Monday.

Howard County Police are increasing their presence in Centennial Park after the 24-year-old woman reported the incident that happened around 6:30 a.m. March 11. She was able to run away and reach her vehicle. She suffered a minor injury and didn't require medical treatment, police said.

The stranger who assaulted her was wearing a black cloth medical mask and a plain black baseball hat, the woman told police. Officers warned people to be alert when in the park for the time being and anyone with information should contact police at 410-313-STOP or [email protected].

Kendelle Richardson frequently uses Centennial Park and told WBAL that she's enhanced what she does to keep herself safe when on the trails.

"It's definitely really scary. I used to run here by myself all the time," she said. "I feel like I always have to have someone with me now when I'm walking or running. I don't want to run with AirPods or anything in like that, too, because it's just scary. That can happen in broad daylight in front of a public place in front of a lot of people."

The attack in Centennial Park comes after a woman reported being attacked by a man while walking along the Canal Towpath Trail in Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park near Point of Rocks March 6. She told police she say the man watch her begin her route then he went to the trailhead and waited for her to return. The incident happened shortly after 4 p.m.

The Frederick-News Post reported that as the man approached the woman, she tried to call a friend on her phone but he forced her to the ground and covered her nose and mouth with his hand. He told her to cooperate and she wouldn't get hurt.

"He kept saying that he wanted to get me up the hill, which was towards the river bank, and I didn't obviously want to go towards the riverbank," the woman told The Frederick-News Post. "I didn't want to go anywhere."

Maryland State Police Sgt. Kyle Gaines said state police arrived on the scene first, then were joined by National Park Service law enforcement rangers and Maryland Natural Resources Police.

The suspect has been described by the victim as a white man, medium to heavy build, 6’ to 6’1” in height, red or strawberry blonde light beard, wearing a baseball hat, dark hoodie, dark pants and work boots. The suspect may have driven to the parking area in a black or gray 4-door hatchback vehicle, possibly a Subaru, according to the National Park Service. The suspect and vehicle were observed in the Point of Rocks parking area prior to the assault.

Anyone with information about the attack should call 888-653-0009 or email [email protected]. People can also submit an anonymous tip by visiting go.nps.gov/SubmitATip.