Man Sought in Attempted Sexuall Assault Along Hiking Trail in Mission Viejo

Detectives were searching for a man who tried to sexually assault a woman on a hiking trail Wednesday afternoon in Mission Viejo, authorities said.

The attempted assault was reported around 3:30 p.m. at the 7-mile-long Oso Creek Trail near Marguerite Parkway and La Paz Road, according to a news release from the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

"I just feel sad," said hiker Lori Newman. "We all feel a little angry, you know?"

The victim was walking on the trail when the man grabbed her and pulled her to the ground. The man tried to take the woman's pants off, but the woman was able to fight the man who then ran away, according to the news release.

The man was described as about 50 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a husky build and a black flat-top hair cut. The man was wearing a white shirt, khaki pants and work boots, according to the news release.

Authorities warned hikers, especially female ones, to beware and carry whistles or pepper spray, or dogs. 

"It will make me think twice, it absolutely will," said hiker Margo Ferrin.

Anyone with information about the attempted sexual assault was asked to call the Orange County Sheriff's Department at 714-647-7170.

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