Joggers and walkers are a common sight along a stretch of Newcastle in Bellaire. Crime alerts are a rarity.
"I've always felt pretty safe," said jogger Julie Bersin. "I've done really early in the morning a lot. When I do really early, I'm kind of cautious or I bring my dog."
So when a nearby resident went on his daily jog at 10pm Tuesday, the last thing he or anyone else expected was for him to be jumped by two men.
"He was suddenly surprised from behind, basically attacked, taken down to the ground," said Bellaire Police Assistant Chief Michael Leal. "As he turned, he was assault while on the ground."
Leal says the jogger fought back, and the two men took off in a brown sedan, without stealing anything.
"We had (a burglary) in the morning on Saturday, one in the evening on Saturday, two different parts of Bellaire, but the description is very similar," Leal said.
"I've never felt in danger," said Bellaire resident Russell Wright. "The police patrol very well here."
The victim suffered some cuts and bruises on his arm, and a cut above his lip, but he is otherwise alright. In this tight-knit community, the news of the attack is just sinking in.
"Honestly, I think it could happen to anyone, and it doesn't matter what neighborhood you're in," said jogger Sarah Portugal. "It could happen to anyone."
Police are hoping to catch the suspects involved, but they don't have a lot to go on. If you have any information in the attack, you're asked to call Bellaire police.
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