A man tackled a female University of Victoria student on a chip trail Wednesday afternoon in a frightening and seemingly random daylight assault.

The 18-year-old student reported to Saanich police she was jogging on the Alumni chip trail between the stadium parking lot and McKenzie Avenue at 3 p.m., when a man unknown to her came jogging in the opposite direction.

About 30 seconds to a minute later, police say she was tackled to the ground from behind with the man landing on her back. She was able to kick him in the groin, and he rolled off in pain and she ran across campus to her dorm room. Police say she was shaken but physically unharmed.

The man is described as white, 25 to 35 years old, 5-foot-9 to 6-foot-2 tall, short brown hair, wearing a grey Nike zip-up hoodie with a black Swoosh logo on the left breast, black shorts and black Nike runners with a white Swoosh. He had white ear-buds often used with iPhones.

The assault came about half an hour after another incident at a field at the Henderson Recreation centre. A man in a hoodie approached and frightened an 18-year-old woman when he synched the hoodie tight over his head. She called Oak Bay police.

Police say the descriptions of the suspects are similar, but no connection has been made. Saanich and Oak Bay police and UVic campus security are working together to identify the suspect or suspects behind these incidents.

Police and security are conducting extra security patrols on bike and foot around the campus, and are recommending women walk or jog with a partner, and carry a cellphone if possible.

editor@saanichnews.com