Woman, 70, fights off attempt at sexual assault, Oakland police say

OAKLAND >> A 70-year- old woman fought off an attacker who tried to sexually assault her in broad daylight last week just east of Lake Merritt, police said.

Investigators said they were asking for the public’s help and advising residents on safety precautions after the reported attack.

In a statement Monday, police said a 70-yearold woman was outside her home around 7:50 a.m. on Friday in the 700 block of Prospect Avenue in the city’s Cleveland Heights neighborhood when a male approached her and tried to draw her to him with a $100 bill.

When the woman turned and walked away, the male grabbed her from behind and forced her to the ground. The woman, however,screamed and fought back, and the man fled, police said.

Police described the suspect as an African-American man, 28 to 30 years old, about 5-foot-10 with a medium build and complexion, wearing a blue T-shirt, gray pants and a black COVID19-style face mask.

Police reminded residents of reasonable personalsafety precautions, including using well-lit and populated areas, limiting distraction from cell phones and electronic devices, locking car doors and remaining alert when entering or leaving vehicles.

Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $7,500 in reward money for information leading to an arrest in the assault. Anyone with information may call the department’s special victims unit at 510-2383461 or Crime Stoppers at 510-777-8572.