Norwood Police searching for assault suspect

NORWOOD (WHDH) -- Norwood Police are searching for an assault suspect after he attempted to kidnap a woman.

Police said a 20-year-old woman was walking out of The Berkshires at the Windsor Gardens apartment complex in Norwood around 5 a.m. Friday when a man, who was walking in the other direction, turned around, jumped on her back and put her in a headlock.

"She yelled, screamed, and was trying to defend herself. They went to the ground -- she went to the ground. And then as she was on the ground she was still screaming. He grabbed her by the ankle and was attempting to pull her off towards the bushes," said Detective Richard Giacoppo, Norwood Police Department.

A neighbor eventually heard her cries.

“Her yelling and screaming had woken up her neighbor who opened a window and started yelling out the window. And this action is what scared off the attacker. He took off on foot,” said Giacoppo.

Police have not identified any suspects. They describe the suspect as a white male in his 20s who stands about 6-foot, 1-inch tall and has a medium build.

The women escaped with minor injuries to her hands and praise from police.

“She did the right thing. Some people were talking about maybe being passive or submissive. That’s the wrong thing. If she had been passive and submissive there would be speculation what could have happened to her,” said Giacoppo.

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