S.O. attacking Women Joggers in Atlanta, Georgia
Runner Attacked by Sex Offender
.jpg>
Last Modified: 12/21/2006 8:18:21 AM
A word of warning for women running alone in Metro Atlanta -- a 29-year-old woman was attacked as she ran on Peachtree before dawn.
Police say her attacker is a convicted sex offender just released from jail.
Laurie Knowles is an avid runner, logging more than 40 miles a week. She ran the Chicago Marathon a few months ago, and just ran a half-marathon on Kiawah Island, S.C.
But what happened to the 29-year-old woman last Friday as she ran her normal route along Peachtree Road was something she never expected. Knowles says a man tried to tackle her to the ground at 6:30 in the morning.
The man who police say attacked Knowles -- 44-year-old Benjamin Solomon -- is no stranger to law enforcement. He has been in jail at least twice before, on aggravated assault charges with intent to rape, and according to Fulton County sheriff records, Solomon was just released from jail last month.
Laurie was lucky her instincts kicked in, and she never gave up fighting. But many others may not be so lucky. At least two other Metro area runners have also been assaulted in recent weeks.
A couple of quick tips -- if approaching someone on a path or sidewalk, run wide outside. Don’t get trapped inside where you can be pushed into bushes. And don't run with headphones on -- you need to be alert and ready to react.
As for Benjamin Solomon -- he has a first court appearance next Friday. Solomon had just gotten out of jail in November. His probation has been revoked.
http://www.11alive.com/rss/article.aspx?storyid=89384
Runner Attacked by Sex Offender
.jpg>
Last Modified: 12/21/2006 8:18:21 AM
A word of warning for women running alone in Metro Atlanta -- a 29-year-old woman was attacked as she ran on Peachtree before dawn.
Police say her attacker is a convicted sex offender just released from jail.
Laurie Knowles is an avid runner, logging more than 40 miles a week. She ran the Chicago Marathon a few months ago, and just ran a half-marathon on Kiawah Island, S.C.
But what happened to the 29-year-old woman last Friday as she ran her normal route along Peachtree Road was something she never expected. Knowles says a man tried to tackle her to the ground at 6:30 in the morning.
The man who police say attacked Knowles -- 44-year-old Benjamin Solomon -- is no stranger to law enforcement. He has been in jail at least twice before, on aggravated assault charges with intent to rape, and according to Fulton County sheriff records, Solomon was just released from jail last month.
Laurie was lucky her instincts kicked in, and she never gave up fighting. But many others may not be so lucky. At least two other Metro area runners have also been assaulted in recent weeks.
A couple of quick tips -- if approaching someone on a path or sidewalk, run wide outside. Don’t get trapped inside where you can be pushed into bushes. And don't run with headphones on -- you need to be alert and ready to react.
As for Benjamin Solomon -- he has a first court appearance next Friday. Solomon had just gotten out of jail in November. His probation has been revoked.
http://www.11alive.com/rss/article.aspx?storyid=89384