‘It’s scary’: Suspect still at large following sexual assault at McAlpine Creek Greenway

CHARLOTTE — Police are searching for a man who approached a woman and inappropriately touched her on the McAlpine Creek Greenway Saturday morning in south Charlotte.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said they responded to Johnston Road after a woman said that she was walking on the greenway around 7:30 a.m. when a man exposed himself before grabbing her inappropriately.

The suspect is still on the loose. He is being described as a young black male who is around 6′ 1′′ and wearing a Kentucky Wildcats hooded sweatshirt, according to CMPD.

CMPD said he started running towards Pikes Nurseries, which is near the greenway.

Channel 9 veteran crime reporter Glenn Counts headed out to the scene, where he was able to speak with community residents who use the greenway, like Donna Gillin.

Gillin, a mother to more than one daughter, told Counts she and her children walk on the greenway multiple times a week and that this recent assault has put security at the front of her mind.

“One of my daughters is autistic, so she sometimes goes a little further behind us or in front of us, always in a line of sight,” Gillin said, “just the idea that it’s just not my safety, but she could be separated for a second or two, so I think that from now on we will only come with my dog or my husband.”

Saturday’s assault comes just 10 months after a similar attack on the greenway in September. Following that attack, Channel 9 did a special report on greenway safety where we asked parks and recreation directors why they wouldn’t put call boxes on the trail, similar to the ones at UNC Charlotte. Director for Parks and Recreation, Lee Jones, said the solution is easier said than done.

“Greenways are built in the repair corridors and the floodplains most of the time, so you’d have to run conduit to these greenways, and that’s electrical wiring, and if it’s going to flood, there’s a chance of it failing,” Jones said.

For Amanda Sullivan, safety is a top priority; she told Counts she’s fairly picky when it comes to choosing a trail to walk on, but after this attack, she’s looking for extra protection.

“It’s scary, and it makes me think I need to. I don’t want to stop biking on the trails because they are gorgeous, but I should be more prepared and have like pepper spray with me,” Sullivan said.

Officers are increasing their presence on the greenway. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

(WATCH BELOW: Community on alert after assault on midtown Charlotte greenway)

Community on alert after assault on midtown Charlotte greenway - clipped version

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