Smyrna Police Department investigators have arrested a local man who officials say assaulted a jogger.
Officials said on Wednesday evening, 11/20, at approximately 10:30 Smyrna officers were alerted by a local 26-year-old woman about an assault that had just occurred in the downtown area. The victim advised Police that she was jogging in the area of S Main Street and Commerce Street when a male suspect grabbed her by her hair and stuck a knife to her back.
The victim was able to fight off her attacker and get away with minor injuries. She provided a detailed description of the suspect, and an initial canvass of the area was unsuccessful.
On Thursday morning, with the assistance of downtown surveillance released on social media and public tips, detectives were able to identify the suspect as Francis Riddle, 34, of Smyrna according to officials. Officers located Riddle in the 600 block of Lexington Ave and took him into custody without incident.
Officials said the motive for this incident remains unknown. Detectives charged Riddle with Possession of a Deadly Weapon during the commission of a felony, Assault 2nd degree, Aggravated Menacing, and Unlawful Imprisonment 1st degree. He was arraigned via video court in JP #2 and committed to the Department of Corrections in lieu of $78,000 cash bail pending a future court hearing.