Penn State Police to Investigate Bike Path Attack

With the suspect still at large, Penn State Police have taken the lead in the investigation of who attacked a woman on a bike path in State College after confirming the attack happened on Penn State property, the school announced Thursday.

On Wednesday, a woman was attacked from behind while she walked home on a trail between the Penn State Arboretum and Sunset Park in State College. She bit her assailant’s hand but did not escape without being cut on the neck, for which she was treated at the hospital and released Wednesday evening.

Now that the investigation has shifted from Ferguson Township Police to Penn State Police, more details have been released on the suspect: He is believed to be a white male wearing all black clothing, including a puffy jacket and knit hat. Police said his facial hair is ‘unknown’ after Ferguson Township Police said on Wednesday that they were searching for a man who had a beard that came to a point at the bottom.

Police said they are hoping to speak with an unidentified male jogger who may have been in the area around 2:15 p.m., around the time of the attack.

Police also said they want to speak with anyone who may have seen a person matching the description of the suspect between noon and 2:30 p.m. in the area of the Arboretum, Sunset Park, Curtin Street, Big Hollow Road, East Aaron Drive or Vairo Boulevard.

Anyone traveling along Oakwood Avenue, Colonnade Boulevard or the Woodycrest area between 2:45 and 7:30 p.m. who thinks that they may have seen a person who fits the description above is also asked to contact police.

Penn State Police can be reached by dialing 9-1-1 or at (814) 863-1111 or can report a tip anonymously via Centre County Crimestoppers 1-877-99-CRIME or by emailing.

Related coverage:

• Woman Stabbed on Bike Path Released from Hospital; Police Still Searching for Suspect