EVERETT — The hunt is on for whoever attacked two women over the weekend in south Everett.
Detectives believe the same man who tried to sexually assault a woman on Saturday struck again on Sunday and attacked a 17-year-old girl.
Based on the description of the suspect it’s likely the same person, Snohomish County sheriff’s spokeswoman Rebecca Hover said. There are some differences in the two assaults that detectives continue to investigate.
“We are working this aggressively,” Hover said.
The sheriff’s office released two sketches Tuesday and asked for the public’s help to find whoever terrorized the woman and teenager.
The first attack happened about 3 a.m. Saturday in the 12600 block of Eighth Avenue W. A woman, 26, told investigators she was taking a walk in her neighborhood when she noticed a man walking toward her. She then saw the man following her for several blocks. He said something and attacked her. The woman’s screams attracted the attention of neighbors, who went outside. The suspect ran off.
A police dog searched the area but was unable to find the man.
The woman was injured when she was hit on the head, and required hospital treatment. The woman told police she didn’t know if the man had a weapon.
The next day at 8 a.m., a 17-year-old girl was walking to work in the 12600 block of Fourth Ave. W. A man armed with a knife grabbed her and forced her to an area near some apartments. He sexually assaulted the girl. He walked away after the attack.
The girl was taken to a local hospital.
The suspect was not found by a police dog.
The assailant in Saturday’s attack was described as a black man between 25 and 35 years old. He is about 5 feet, 10 inches tall and about 250 pounds with a muscular build. He possibly had stubble on his face and a tattoo on his left forearm.
The teenager described the suspect as a black man in his early 20s. She said he appeared to be about 5 feet, 11 inches tall with a thin but muscular build.
Sheriff’s deputies have stepped up their patrols in the area and are advising neighbors to be alert.
“We don’t want people to panic,” Hover said. “We want them to be alert and aware of their surroundings.”
Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.
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