Police: Woman assaulted near Melrose golf course

MELROSE, Mass. (WHDH) -- Police in Melrose are warning women after a vicious attack near the Bellevue Golf Club Saturday.

Investigators say a woman was walking in broad daylight on a wooded road near the golf club Saturday when the suspect came up from behind, knocked to her ground and attacked her.

“It’s very nerve-wracking because Melrose is a very safe, very great community and people are very supportive here,” said Liz Brown, a neighbor.

Police say the woman was able to scream and fight back against her attacker who eventually ran off.

The attack has left many who live nearby on edge.

“It's a little bit frightening but it’s such a quiet neighborhood I just question what happened and where. Route 1 is not very far away so maybe it was people that pulled off of Route 1 and ended up over here. But it’s such a quiet neighborhood,” one woman said.

Others are making sure they stay safe when they go out for a walk.

“I take a walk out at night and I think you feel safe you have the security of your iPhone, and you can call or whatever,” Brown said.

Police say the victim didn’t get a good look at the suspect, but she did say he was wearing red running shoes.