WASHINGTON — Police arrested a suspect who they believe sexually assaulted a woman on a Fairfax County trail.
Jeremiah Whitmore Tolley, 21, of Fairfax, was arrested Friday and charged with abduction with intent to defile and sexual assault. Police are investigating whether other assaults are connected to him.
Fairfax County police say a woman was walking alone on a bike and walking trail near Waples Mill and Random Hills roads around 5:10 p.m. Thursday when a man grabbed her from behind and groped her.
The suspect fled when a passing car spooked him, police said. The suspect ran westbound along Random Hills Road.
The victim was not injured.
This assault is one of several recent groping cases on Fairfax County trails. Over the past two weeks, there have been five assaults in which the victims’ buttocks were grabbed. Those cases generally occurred after 4 p.m. as the women were exercising along the trail, police said.
Detectives are working to determine if there is a link between Thursday’s case and the other recent assaults.
Police ask trail-goers to remember the following safety tips:
- Run, jog or walk in familiar areas and with a friend.
- Do not run, jog or walk in a poorly lit or secluded area or after dark.
- Do not wear a headphones or earbuds.
- Switch up your route and pattern so your actions aren’t predictable.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
Anyone with information about the most recent case or any others can contact police at 703-591-0966.
Below is a map with the location of the incident:
[google_map latitude=”38.856081″ longitude=”-77.336605″ zoom=”13″ height=”300px” location_label=”trail sexual assault”]
