A woman was attacked in her driveway in Medford, Massachusetts, after being followed on a walk Sunday night, and police are asking for tips and leads to find the man responsible.
The woman’s husband told NBC10 Boston that his wife was out for a walk and was assaulted right outside their home. Investigators have released surveillance images of a man wanted for questioning.
“I feel awful,” said Anya Malkina, who lives in the neighborhood. “This is my regular route and I go to Wegmans and CVS and I usually don’t feel any danger here.”
The 27-year-old victim told police that, about 10:30 p.m., she noticed the man start to follow her near Tufts University about a half mile away. Just as she arrived at her driveway on Royall Street, he attacked.
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The woman’s husband said the man grabbed her from behind and hit her in the head multiple times, even pulling her hair. She fought back and yelled and the suspect ran off.
“It’s very unusual,” said neighbor Jim Davidson. “This neighborhood is usually very safe, everybody walks their dogs at all hours, you don’t usually have any types of issues.”
The victim was treated for minor injuries, but her husband said she’s shaken up and her head is still in pain.
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“There’s no respect for life,” said neighbor Joan Colangeli. “It doesn’t matter how old you are, you could look the wrong way and somebody’s going to be annoyed.”
The suspect is described by police as between 18 and 30 years old and wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with white writing on it, dark jeans and black and white sneakers.
“It’s just very upsetting,” said Malkina. “Why attack women? It’s like, why.”
Investigators are asking businesses and residents near Ball Square, the Somerville area, Boston Avenue and College Avenue to Royall Street at Main Street for any surveillance footage they may have from the time period in an effort to generate more leads to try to track down the suspect.
There will be extra police patrols in the area, police said. Anyone who spots anything suspicious was encouraged to call 911 anyone with information on the attack was asked to call the Medford Police Detective Division at 781-391-6767.
