Police searching for man who pepper-sprayed jogger in Wilmette

An unknown offender reportedly pepper-sprayed a woman out for a jog on Dec. 14 in Wilmette possibly because she got too close to him, according to a report from the Wilmette Police Department.

The woman was running northbound on Michigan Avenue around 2:30 p.m. when she crossed paths with a male subject. As the two drew near, the male subject allegedly “sprayed her in the face” with a substance, according to the report. 

The victim then stopped, removed her ear buds and looked back toward the man, who then reportedly yelled “keep your distance.”

As the woman continued her jog, she noticed a burning sensation to her face. She called police and was medically treated on the scene and released, said Wilmette Deputy Chief Pat Collins.

Collins said authorities have yet to locate the offender, who the report describes as a White male in his 60s with a medium build and a gray beard. Also, Collins said, the man was wearing a bicycle helmet.

No known similar incidents have been reported before or since in Wilmette, Collins said, adding that Kenilworth police recognized the description of the individual but had no further information on him.