Woman assaulted in Spokane Valley by naked man

A naked man assaulted a woman who was walking in a residential area in southeast Spokane Valley early today. The man still is at large. He’s described as black with an athletic build and a tattoo on his upper right arm. Police say the victim was taking her morning walk near East 17th Avenue and South Carnahan Road about 5:15 a.m. when the man tried to steal her watch, then threw her to the ground and drug her partially down an embankment. The victim, who was injured, freed herself after a brief struggle. She said her attacker should have scratches on his chest and arms from the fight. The man was last seen around 6 a.m. near the 3800 block of East 13th Avenue. Officers used a helicopter and police dogs to aid in the search. Police had been looking for the man since a homeowner in the 4800 block of East Gloria Lane called 911 about 2:30 a.m. and said she’d awoken to someone knocking on her back door. She waited inside with her two children while deputies searched unsuccessfully for the man. The woman’s husband came home from work about 3:45 a.m. and found the naked man standing in their front yard. Deputies still were in the area when he called 911 but could not find the man. Police are looking for information on the case or tips that might help them identify a suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call 911.