MCT offers $5,000 reward for info on trail assailant
GRANITE CITY – Madison County Transit is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the man who attacked a woman on the MCT Nature Trail last Tuesday, the agency said today.
According to a statement from Edwardsville Chief of Police Jay Keeven, the “suspect is described as a black male, 16-20 years of age, approximately 6 feet tall and 160 lbs.”
The suspect has a thin build and short black hair. A composite sketch, left, was prepared by the Illinois State Police.
Anyone with information on the man is urged to contact Detective Jake Germann with the Edwardsville Police Department at (618) 656-2131 or the Tip Line at (618) 692-7552 if they wish to remain anonymous.
Around 2:15 p.m. last Tuesday, an 18-year-old woman was lured off the trail by the suspect, claiming that a friend needed help. She was grabbed and pulled to the ground, but managed to escape without serious injury or the need for medical treatment. The incident occurred near the 500 block of Chancellor Drive, which runs through Esic subdivision.
“The MCT Trails have allowed families and individuals to enjoy the outdoors in a safe and peaceful manner. We do not want an incident such as this to change the public’s perception or use of these beautiful linear parks.” said MCT Managing Director Jerry Kane. “We are hopeful that this reward will assist the local authorities, including the Edwardsville Police Department and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office in arresting this individual as quickly as possible.”
MCT owns and maintains more than 125 miles of scenic bikeways in Madison County, known as the MCT Trails.
