Manassas police investigating attempted rape

By Elisa Glushefski

Published: August 5, 2008

Manassas City police are investigating an attempted rape that occurred over the weekend in the 8700 block of Bret-ton Woods Drive, police said Tuesday.

Police responded to the house where the attack occurred at about 5:22 a.m. Saturday, said Sgt. Tim Neumann, Ma-nassas police spokesman.

A 32-year-old woman reported that she had just returned home from work and was having a cigarette on her front steps when a man put a knife to her throat, police said.

The assailant grabbed the woman by her wrists, pulled her off the steps and pushed her to the ground, Neumann said.

The assailant then tried to pull the woman's pants down, but she fought back and screamed for her roommate, police said.

Police said the woman's attacker fled on foot toward Point of Woods Drive when he heard the front door opening.

The assailant was described as a Hispanic man in his mid 30s, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall with a stocky build, police said. He was wearing a gray shirt and light blue jeans.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Manassas City Crime Solvers at 703-330-0330. Callers don't have to give their name, just the information, and could earn up to a $1,000 cash reward.

Staff writer Elisa Glushefski can be reached at 703-878-8062.