maybe we should ban bicycles????????????

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New assault by bicyclist reported
Police issue a sketch of the suspect in Thursday’s attack on a woman.
By Ralph Monta?o and J.D. Sparks — Bee Staff Writers
Published 2:15 a.m. PST Friday, February 28, 2003
Police released a composite sketch of a bicyclist who assaulted a woman downtown on Thursday at 5th and L streets.
Police say he may be the suspect in 15 or more attacks of women under similar circumstances.

A 22-year-old woman was walking with a friend about 10:30 a.m. when a man riding a yellow or gold cruiser-style bicycle passed by and punched the victim in the face, Sgt. Justin Risley said.

Authorities describe the man as white or Latino, in his mid-30s, clean shaven, with dark, wavy hair that hangs below his ears. He is estimated to be about 6 feet tall and 170 pounds.

In each case the victims said the attack came without warning by a man riding a bicycle on the sidewalk. The suspect lashed out at the victims without saying a word. He then rides away afterward without slowing or stopping.

More women contacted The Bee on Thursday to describe similar attacks.

One woman, who asked that her name not be used, said she was swatted on the nose with a rolled-up newspaper by a passing bicyclist. The attack occurred at 7:30 a.m. on Riverside Boulevard, south of Broadway, on Jan. 14.

The woman said she never saw the face of her attacker, only his backside as he pedaled away into the fog.

Risley said the sporadic nature of the crimes had made it difficult for investigators to link them together.

There were false reports of an arrest in the ongoing investigation Thursday morning after patrol officers arrested a man on an unrelated crime in the downtown area and thought he could be the suspect, police said. Investigators later determined he was not their man.

Anyone with information about the assaults or the identity of the attacker is asked to call Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or (800) AA-CRIME. Callers can remain anonymous and earn a reward.

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