TPD investigates early-morning rape at LaFortune Park

TULSA - Police say a woman was sexually assaulted during her morning jog at LaFortune Park.

The search continues for her assailant.

Investigators are looking for a black male, between 25-30 years old, about 6' tall and 180 pounds.  The victim told police the man was clean shaven, wearing a black beanie and a torn brown jacket.

Police describe LaFortune as one of the safest parks in the city - hundreds of joggers frequent the trails on a regular basis.

Tulsa residents, Andrea and Nancy walk the trails at LaFortune several times a week and say safety isn't usually a concern.

"We walk it so much and we don't think twice about it," Nancy said.

Since police reported a 19-year-old woman was raped while running around 6:30 Thursday morning, the women say they are taking a closer look at their surroundings.

"After we heard about it, as we were walking there are some places on this trail are a little more narrow a little dark," Nancy said.

Investigators say the suspect could have been intoxicated at the time.

They say he tried to approach the victim twice.

"Attempted to engage in conversation, she continued her jog, this individual came up behind her, threw her to the ground, sexually assaulted her and then fled," said officer Leland Ashley with the Tulsa Police Department.

Investigators are not sure where the suspect ran, but the search is on.

The victim was treated and released from the hospital.

"A lot of times in these situations, the victims tend to want to blame themselves, it's nothing she did wrong, we had an individual out here that was a predator and decided that he was going to attack this female and that's what he did," Ashley said.

Many joggers and walkers like this pair won't be coming to park alone in the future.

"It makes you start thinking about, you know you need to have a buddy system, you need to be on guard and alert," Nancy said.

Anyone who may know who the suspect is or has any information that can help police should call Crime Stoppers, (918)-596-COPS.