Woman Attacked While Walking Near Busy Hiking Trail In Hollywood

HOLLYWOOD (CBS) — A woman walking her dog early Saturday was attacked while hiking near a busy trail in Hollywood, according to police.

In happened in the 1700 block of Fuller, the street leading to Runyon Canyon.

CBS2 and KCAL9 reporter Joy Benedict said the attack was stopped by fellow hikers.

Bryce Bonn ran to his balcony to see a woman being attacked. "I was just enjoying my morning coffee when I heard screaming."

He saw the attacker grab the woman and throw her to the ground.

Witnesses told Benedict the stranger grabbed the woman from behind and attempted to pull her pants down.

Bonn said "a bunch of guys pinned the man down...within a minute there were four cop cars here."

The Good Samaritans not only thwarted the attack, they held the suspect until police arrived.

The suspect has been identified by police as 21-year-old Dejan Sabastian.

He was being held on $100,000 bail for assault with the intent to rape, KNX 1070's Ed Mertz reports.

Of the victim, Bonn said, "she was shook up and definitely crying. But she held it together."

Benedict spoke to several hikers who were shocked and in disbelief that a brazen attack could happen in such a busy area.

Jolene Sanchez said, "it definitely concerns me. You would think with the number of people here, you wouldn't have to deal with something like that."

Janaye Salle, another hiker, concurs. "You don't really think about that when you come here. You just think about getting a workout."

The unidentified victim declined medical attention.