Police: Holmes Run Attacks Investigation Progressing

Alexandria police say they are making progress in the investigation into two attacks on women at Holmes Run Park within the past month.

Alexandria Deputy Police Chief Hassan Aden, speaking Thursday evening at a meeting of the Seminary Hill Association, said police are patrolling the greenway 24 hours a day.

“We do have various strategies that are in place,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of detectives that are working on this case, and without giving too much information, because it is sensitive, we’re moving forward very fast, and we’re making progress on the issue.”

Earlier this week, Alexandria police Lt. Mark Bergin told the Holmes Run Park Committee that police on foot, on bicycles and in patrol cars are stepping up their presence at the park. For at least the next two weeks, officers will walk the area on foot from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., Bergin said. Officers from the daylight and midnight shifts will also walk through the area at least three times per shift, he said.

The first assault occurred Sept. 12. a man grabbed an early-morning female jogger from behind on the bike path by the parkway. The woman screamed and broke free from the suspect.

On Oct. 3, a man attempted to sexually assault a woman who was walking in the 5300 block of Holmes Run Parkway. The incident occurred at about 9:45 p.m. in a wooded area just south of the creek.

Police do not believe the same man committed both attacks.

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