A woman fought off an an attempted rape in Huron Township and the man is now charged with several felonies.
The attack happened on Tuesday around 3:00 in the afternoon on one of the trails in Oakwoods Metropark in Huron Township.
The 26-year-old woman was jogging when police said the suspect, 44-year-old Darien Fickling, attacked her from behind and tackled her.
"Took her to the ground and told her that if she didn't quit fighting, he would kill her and he attempted to sexually assault her, said Huron Township Police Chief, Evertte Robbins.
She didn’t quit fighting and she was able to escape. She ran down the road to the nearest home and called for help, because the suspect stole her cell phone.
Resident, Jan Schafer was able to call 911.
"She was screaming for help and knocking on the door when I come around it was locked and I seen she was all bloody, her eye was swollen, she had a big knot on her nose,” said Schafer.
She said the entire situation was very scary.
"I calmed her down and 911 called back, she was worried that he followed her back here, I said honey, don't worry about that. Police have been called and I have my gun,” said Schafer.
She said the fact the woman fought back impressed her.
"She beat him and kicked and screamed,” said Schafer.
Huron Township Police agree.
"The real hero of this incident is our victim, she fought the attacker, she was able to quickly get to a house and relay quick information to us,” said Robbins.
Robbins said police were able to track down the suspect, Fickling, within 30 minutes.
He was still on the Oakwood Metro Park Trails and he still had the victim’s phone when police caught up with him.
He is now charged with kidnapping, robbery and assault.
He is expected to be arraigned in court on Thursday morning.
