A man is facing charges for allegedly robbing and sexually assaulting a 65-year-old woman on a hiking trail in Manchester on Wednesday.
Police said they were called to the hiking trail near Charter Oak Park. Officers were told that a woman walking on the trail was thrown to the ground by a man, identified as Daquan Clark-Blue, 30, of Manchester.
Authorities said the man groped and physically assaulted her, before trying to take her purse and cell phone.
According to a police report, the victim told investigators that Clark-Blue repeatedly punched her, and groped her as she tried to fight back.
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The woman took a photo of the suspect before he fled, and officers conducted a search of the area. Clark-Blue was found at a home on the street, only a short distance away from where the incident happened, police said.
The woman was taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries, but the extent is unknown.
“I heard about what happened and I thought it was peaceful, but I don’t know, it seems like it’s gotten a little scary now,” said Manchester’s AJ Stewart.
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Clark-Blue was taken into custody without incident after investigators found the clothes he was wearing during the alleged assault. Police said he faces charges including assault, sexual assault, unlawful restraint, strangulation, threatening, larceny, robbery and more.
Clark-Blue was arraigned at Manchester Superior Court on Thursday. His bond was kept at $500,000, and he is next due in court on Oct. 18.
“Unfortunate things happen any place you go. Unfortunately it’s kind of part of human nature. You just pray that that’s not going to happen to you and keep an eye out for the people that you’re around with,” said Manchester’s Sarah Collins.
Anyone with information about the apparent assault is asked to contact the police department at 860-645-5500.
