SANTA MONICA (CBSLA.com) — Police are searching for a man who sexually assaulted a female jogger as she ran along the beach early Wednesday morning.

The victim was running near lifeguard towers in the 800 block of Pacific Coast Highway at 4:50 a.m. when she saw the suspect running toward her. She tried to run away from him, but he chased her down and wrestled her down to the sand near Lifeguard Tower 8.

The suspect physically and sexually assaulted the woman, who fought back and was able to free herself, police said. She ran away, toward Pacific Coast Highway.

Police say the suspect was last seen walking away northbound from the area.

He was described as a white man, who is roughly 30 years old and 5 feet 6 inches tall. He has a thin, muscular build, short dark brown hair, a full beard, and was wearing only blue jean shorts. He did not appear to have any noticeable scars, marks or tattoos.

Anyone with information about the man’s identity or the crime can call Santa Monica police Detective Phillip DeRyck at (310)458-8944 or Sgt. Darrick Jacob at (310)458-8460.

Information can also be submitted anonymously by calling WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME (1-800-78-27463), or visiting http://www.wetip.com.