A female cyclist managed to escape after being put in a headlock by a stranger during a terrifying ordeal in a Melbourne park.
The 39-year-old woman was riding her bike along the Moonee Ponds Trail, Pascoe Vale, at about 4pm on October 13, and stopped at Herbert Reserve to rest when a male approached and started to talk to her, Victoria Police said.
When she stood up and tried to leave the man attempted to hug her, but she offered a handshake instead. He then grabbed her hand, pulled her towards him and put her in a headlock, threatening to hurt her if she screamed.
The woman then managed to get back on her bike and ride home, and was not physically hurt.
The man was last seen walking on the creek path towards a construction area at the end of Main Street.
The Fawkner Sexual Offence & Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT) are investigating the incident and released a description. They did not mention skin colour but the composite image shows a male with brown skin.
“He is described as 175cm tall with a medium to large build and short cropped black hair with a white spot at the back behind his right ear,” police said.
“He was wearing a khaki green t-shirt with a white graphic on front, black knee length shorts with white thread and sky-blue Nike running shoes with white soles.
“Investigators have released a facial composite of a man they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries and an image of shoes similar to those he was wearing.”
Header image: A facial composite of a man police believe may be able to assist with their enquiries (Victoria Police)
