Police Release Sketch Of Man Who Exposed Himself, Assaulted Female Jogger In Atlantic County Park

NORTHFIELD, N.J. (CBS) -- Police in Atlantic County have released surveillance video and a composite sketch of a man who assaulted a female jogger in a park earlier this month. Northfield police say the incident happened on May 7, around 4:30 p.m., on a wooded trail at Birch Grove Park. This is the second attack to happen in the park in an 18-month span.

A 28-year-old woman was running in the park when she says a man on the trail exposed himself and then lunged for her shirt collar.

"She was by herself, she approached a male who was on the trail and as she got closer to him, he dropped his pants," said Northfield Police Capt. Steve Steinecke.

She was able to get away and was not injured.

"She was able to smack his hand away and she took off running," said Steinecke.

The suspect is described as a white or Hispanic man, 25 to 35 years of age, approximately 5-foot-11, with a thin build, round face, dark hair and a slight mustache.

Police say another woman was attacked by a man with the same description in the park in December 2017.

"I'm shocked, I just can't believe that in this little neighborhood here that we would have such a terrible thing happen," said Lisa Bertino.

Anna Bogan says she's avoided the park since hearing of the latest attack, and only took a walk today because she had a friend to go with her.

"It's really a shame because there are so few places where you can just go to take a nice walk and try to enjoy the ducks, the turtles, and the covered bridges without worrying about somebody running up on you and grabbing you from behind," said Anna Bogan.

Police have stepped up patrols and hope the sketch and surveillance video will help catch the suspect. Police say going deep in the woods alone isn't a good idea.

"Even after he's caught you should be using the buddy system. Always walk with someone else or in groups and if you can't do that stay to populated areas," said Steinecke.

If you have any information, call police at 609-641-3122.

CBS3's Cleve Bryan contributed to this report.