Officers believe same man assaulted two different women on Berlin Lake Trail
A second woman has been assaulted and robbed on the Berlin Lake Trail in Portage County near the Mahoning County line in Deerfield Township.
Portage County, OH - A second woman has been assaulted and robbed on the Berlin Lake Trail in Portage County near the Mahoning County line in Deerfield Township.
The Portage County Sheriff's Office has beefed up patrols and is collecting evidence and conducting interviews to identify the suspect but the people who live nearby are also on high alert and are taking steps to look out for their neighbors.
"The first victim was a very close friend of mine so it brings it close to my heart that the residents have to worry about using something as beautiful as this," said Berlin Township Trustee Denny Furman.
Two assaults and robberies on the Berlin Lake Trail in just two months have hit home for Furman.
"I think that it needs to be patrolled more whether it be with volunteers or the sheriff's department," Furman said. "Volunteers want to carry guns and I don't want to see anyone get killed."
Since the bike and hike trail is in Deerfield, he plans to reach out to trustees there to see what else can be done.
In the meantime, other residents have posted signs warning of the attacks and started patrolling on their own.
"I'm 300 pounds, I'm an old out of shape bald white guy and I have my CCW. I'm not afraid of you," said Michael Burrier of Alliance who went out there with some friends Tuesday night to have a presence on the trail.
These actions come after the latest assault shortly before 7:30 p.m. Monday at the south end of the trail. A woman in her late 40s was biking and a man in dark clothes, a mask and hat was standing on the side of the trail, grabbed her around the neck, pulled her off her bike and sexually assaulted her.
He stole her cell phone, keys, small bag, clothing and her bike. She saw him heading south so she went the opposite direction.
She flagged down a car for help on Route 224 and the bike path. A person who lives nearby took the woman in on her porch and gave her a blanket to wrap up in. They called EMS and she was taken to the hospital.
Her bike was found in the woods on State Route 14, not far from where the incident took place near Wagner Road. Major Limbert said the attack happened 3/10 of a mile north of Wagner Road.
The same man is believed to have attacked a woman in her early 60s on June 14. That attack happened about 3 to 4/10 of a mile south of Route 224.
Both women were reportedly taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
The suspect is described as a white man, between 5' 8" and 5' 9", in his mid 30s to early 40s, medium build and about 180 to 200 pounds.
According to police, there was no vehicle seen.
Sheriff's detectives are following leads and are asking that anyone who may have been on the trail between 5:00-7:30 p.m. Monday and saw anyone suspicious to call the Portage County Sheriff's Office at (330) 296-5100 and report the information.
In the news release, Sheriff David Doak reminded those who are using any sort of hike and bike trails to pay careful attention to suspicious people hanging around, and to never ride, walk or hike alone.
Major Larry Limbert added that people should take out their earbuds so they can hear if someone approaches.
Furman has a background in law enforcement and is an administrator on the neighborhood watch Facebook page "Western Mahoning County Crime Reporter." He is recommending people carry pepper spray.
"I've always noticed that if you have pepper spray, it's great, put it on a lanyard. If you do fall off your bicycle its not going to hurt but you always have it in your hand," Furman said.
