GWINNETT COUNTY — Two Gwinnett County women are thankful they weren’t hurt at a Gwinnett County park after police told Channel 2 Action News someone harassed them and even pulled one woman’s shorts down.
The victims said they don’t want to let the park’s beauty be affected by what this suspect is accused of doing.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Channel 2′s Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson was at Tribble Mill Park Wednesday, where the two victims, who didn’t want to be identified, were hiking a trail one Saturday evening and found themselves fending off an attacker.
“A lot of families with children come here,” Polly Dean, a park visitor told Channel 2 Action News.
Mario Boyo, 17, was arrested on May 20 when police said he forced himself on a woman who was at the park for a run. Police said he grabbed her waist and pulled her toward him to try to kiss her.
“You see unaccompanied ladies on the trail too, so it’s been a place that’s traditionally been safe,” Jimmy Jacobs, a park vistior said.
Officials showed up at the park shortly after the incident and found Boyo in the woods.
Police said Boyo was arrested and is accused of grabbing another woman’s shorts and pulling them down.
“That situation can happen anywhere at any time, I would not think for a second it would be more likely at this location,” Dean said.
The teen has since been released on bond.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
IN OTHER NEWS:
This browser does not support the video element.