SACRAMENTO COUNTY—

Detectives have released the composite sketch of a man wanted for attacking a woman walking along the levee.

The assault happened back on Nov. 14, on the part of the levee near La Riviera Drive and Watt Avenue. According to a release from the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department, the woman was tackled to the ground by a man.

“They ended up in a heated altercation,” explained Sgt. Lisa Bowman of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department.  “She rolled down the levee with the subject.  And at one point he did try to choke her.”

The woman was able to fight the man off, though, sending him running from the area.

“She was able to fight back enough and scream to where a neighbor heard her screaming, came out from their house, saw what was going on and yelled.  The yell from the neighbor is what startled this person and he ran off,” Bowman said.

Other than the sketch, only a vague description of the man was given. Detectives say he stands about 5’10’’ tall and weighs about 170 pounds.

Residents were shocked that such an incident happened in broad daylight.

“It’s actually very surprising to me because I’ve lived in this neighborhood my whole life,” said a young woman riding her bike on the levee Tuesday afternoon.  “And I know it’s not the safest spot during nighttime, but it’s a shocker that that would happened to someone during the day.  Definitely just stay in groups and be careful.”

Anyone with information on who the man may be is asked to call Detective McAtee at (916) 874-5070.

Cecilio Padilla contributed to this report.