What started as a quiet dog walk on the Westmoreland Heritage Trail in Murrysville ended with a violent struggle and a suspect in handcuffs, according to police.
Investigators say a 24-year-old woman had stopped to take a break along the trail when a man she did not know walked up and attacked her. She fought back hard enough to get away, and officers later tracked down a suspect matching the description she gave them.
According to a criminal complaint cited by WTAE, the woman "kicked and bit" her attacker to fend him off. Two runners on the trail reported seeing a suspicious man near mile marker 17 whose appearance lined up with the victim's account. The complaint states that he took off with the woman’s phone when bicyclists approached and came into view.
Officers later found a man in a wooded area near Meadowbrook Road who matched those descriptions and took him into custody, according to WTAE. He was identified as 30-year-old Colton Stennett of Jeannette and was being held in the Westmoreland County Prison without bail pending a preliminary hearing. An online docket listed "threat to society" as the reason bail was denied.
Where It Happened
The Westmoreland Heritage Trail is a multi-use rail-trail that runs through Murrysville and neighboring communities and is heavily used by walkers, runners, and cyclists. Westmoreland County notes that the trail links several parks and offers multiple access points throughout the municipality, making it a popular route for everyday exercise and weekend outings.
Police Response
Murrysville police urged people who use the trail to stay alert to their surroundings and to report any suspicious behavior to authorities. Anyone who has video from the area or additional information about the incident was asked to contact the Murrysville Police Department so investigators can follow up.
Legal Status
Stennett has been charged in connection with the reported attack and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing. The initial reports did not list the full breakdown of charges. The case remains under investigation by the Murrysville Police Department and Westmoreland County prosecutors.
