Woman attacked while walking her dog; suspect in custody

OLYMPIA -- Police arrested a 21-year-old man who allegedly attacked a woman Monday morning while she was walking her dog on the Woodland Trail.

The man was arrested on outstanding warrants and was also identified by the woman as the man who attacked her.

After the attack, the woman called police and told them that about 9:30 a.m., as she was walking down the trail with her dog, a man she didn't know approached her. She then told police that he dragged her into nearby bushes and assaulted her. She said she was able to convince the man to let her go and she was able to get away uninjured.

Police said the man is a transient in the area. He was booked into the Thurston County Jail.

Heather Dunn lives near the Woodland Trail and walks on it every day. This morning she encountered a man that matched the description of the attacker. He tried to stop her and talk to her but she sensed something wasn't right and jogged home with her dog.

Dunn said, "As we were coming back, he shouted after me, 'Where are going?' And I said, going home. I didn't slow down and we just kept on going."

She was very upset to learn about the attack but relieved to hear that the alleged attacker was caught Monday afternoon.