San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s investigators are searching for a man who grabbed a woman on an Avlia Beach hiking trail and tried to drag her into bushes. The suspect, who is a man believed to be in his 50s, escaped even though sheriff’s deputies searched the area with the assistance of a CHP helicopter.
Shortly before 3 p.m., while the woman was walking on the Avila Ridge Trail, she noticed the man sit down and appear to be looking at the ocean. After she walked past, the man began walking behind her. He then grabbed her and attempted to drag her to nearby bushes, according to the sheriff’s office.
The victim managed to break free and run down the trail toward the Pirates Cove parking lot. The suspect took off in the opposite direction.
The suspect is described as a light-skinned Hispanic man with green eyes and patchy facial hair. He was wearing white mesh athletic shorts with a red tank top tucked into his shorts.
During the incident, the woman sustained scratches to her chest and neck, but she did not need medical attention.
The sheriff’s office asks that anyone who was hiking in the area at the time or has information about the case to call (805) 781-4550.
