Sheriff Releases Sketch of Sexual Assault Suspect

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department has released a sketch of a suspect in a .

Shortly before 1:30 a.m. near the corner of Palm Avenue and 5th Street the assailant threatened the woman with a knife, forced her to walk a short distance to a residential yard, where he sexually assaulted her, according to sheriff's officials.

The woman was able to escape after she and the attacker heard the voices of several people passing through the area.

The victim described the assailant as a lean, roughly 6-foot-1-inch, 175- pound black man with short dark hair and a dark complexion. He was wearing a white shirt and dark shorts reaching his knees or calves.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

City News Service contributed to this report.