Authorities investigating assaults urge caution on trail

Authorities investigating reports of women being assaulted by a bicyclist while jogging continue to urge caution but say law enforcement “is addressing this issue.” Spokane County sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Reagan said today he couldn’t provide further details regarding police efforts but said trail users still are urged to jog in pairs and not to wear headphones that block noise. The assailant has targeted women on the Centennial Trial as well as residential areas; authorities urge women to be particularly cautious “in nearby residential areas north of the river and east of Mission to Argonne Road,” Reagan said in a news release. Another woman reported being assaulted July 26 about 10 a.m. on the Centennial Trail near Greene Street and Upriver Drive, Reagan said today. The woman said she was running when a white man about 25 to 30 years old, brown hair, 5-foot-7 with a medium build, slapped her bottom. She swore at him and he rode away, Reagan said. Witnesses should report suspicious activity or incidents to Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.