Investigators released surveillance photos and are seeking the public’s help in finding a sexual assault suspect Wednesday after a teenage girl was attacked in the South Bay neighborhood of Lincoln Acres.
Around 3 p.m. Tuesday, a 16-year-old girl walking down Prospect Avenue was tackled by an 18-year-old man on Prospect Avenue near Sweetwater Road, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
“She was able to fight him off and run away,” according to Lt. Kevin Ralph. “The victim says the suspect caught up to her, tackled her again and tried to sexually assault her.”
A bystander intervened, causing the suspect to run away — taking the victim’s cellphone with him.
The female victim was not hurt in the incident.
The suspect was described as a 5-foot-11, 180-pound, Hispanic man with medium-length curly hair. He was last seen in a tan shirt with a ripped neckline and khaki pants.
The investigation is being conducted by the sheriff’s Sexual Assault Unit.
City News Service contributed to this article.