Lakeland police are searching for a man who attempted to rape and kidnap a woman in the area of Hollingsworth Drive while she was jogging.

According to reports, the victim, a 22-year-old woman, was jogging the path around Lake Hollingsworth around midnight, heading south. She glanced back and saw a man running up from behind her. The man grabbed her from behind and dragged her off the path into a small wooden area where he threw her on the ground and attempted to pull her shorts off, police said.

"I wouldn't think that that would happen in this area, this neighborhood, but I guess anything can happen anywhere," said walker Mia Davis.

The woman began asking the man questions to try and divert his attention, and was able to run away.

"This is like the second time that I've heard an assault has happened while somebody somebody was walking late," said walker Katrina Bryant. "It's very sad."

The suspect is described as a black male, 5’5”, in his mid 20’s, medium build, with plaited braids and a black dew rag. The man was wearing no shirt, black sweat pants, and white socks with gold writing on the toe.

"It's a good idea to probably try to go in a group," said walker Teresa Dunn. "Minimize the time you have to go late at night unless you absolutely have to. And if you do, then don't go by yourself. I think that's probably the safest thing."

Police K-9 and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office air unit responded to the area but were unable to locate the suspect.

The Lakeland Police Department believes the same man was performing lewd acts on himself the next morning in the area of Lake Hollingsworth and Melton Avenue.

The suspect in this case was a black male wearing a white shirt and dark pants and was in his mid 20’s. He appeared to be watching women walk the lake on the jogging path, police said.

The witness who was passing by stated the suspect was sitting on a bench in front of Florida Southern. Police officers circulated the area and were unable to locate the suspect.

If you have information about either of these cases, please contact Det. Paula Tolbert at 863-834-8981 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-8477. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, you must contact Crime Stoppers.