Jogger assault sparks safety concerns

Runners and pedestrians who frequent the area along the Charles River were on high alert yesterday after police say a Harvard student reported being grabbed from behind while jogging and fending off her attacker with pepper spray.

The female undergraduate student said she was jogging along the Charles River near the intersection of Memorial Drive and Western Avenue about 11:50 p.m. Tuesday when a man she didn’t know suddenly grabbed her from behind, according to state police.

“The victim immediately began to struggle with the male and discharged pepper spray in an attempt to thwart her attacker,” police said in a release. “The victim was able to break away from the offender and fled the area and ran to the safety of one of the River Houses.”

The woman was unable to provide a description of her assailant, police said.

News of the attack had residents walking along the Charles last night looking over their shoulders.

Karla Castro, 30, of Somerville, said she often walks through the area to get to work.

“Now that I know I feel scared,” she said. “I think I’m going to buy pepper spray.”

Another woman, who asked not to be identified, said people running at night should always stay where other people can see them.

“You never know. Things happen all the time,” she said. “(You have to) be vigilant ... but even that can’t prevent everything.”

State police are urging anyone with information about the incident to call the Brighton Barracks at 617-727-4812.