Sexual assault suspect's description honed

SANDPOINT — Bonner County Sheriff’s officials have released an artist’s rendering of a suspect wanted in connection with an attempted rape last month.

Detec-tives also released a slightly more refined physical description of the suspect. The man is described as standing 5 foot 9-10 inches tall and weighing 160-165 pounds.

He has brown hair and eyes, and appeared to be between the ages of 45-50.

Tattoos of letters or numbers adorn the knuckles of the suspect’s left hand. At the time of the incident, he was said to have had about a week’s growth of graying facial hair. He was wearing an insulated button-down jacket with a plaid design.

Sheriff’s officials said the suspect was apparently pretending to be a stranded motorist on U.S. Highway 2 west of Laclede on March 31, between about 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The suspect’s vehicle, described as an oxidized gold or tan mid-1980s Jeep Cherokee with Idaho plates, was pulled to the side of the road with the hood up. The suspect vehicle was stopped at approximately milepost 12.5, an area where the highway is lined on either side by large rock outcroppings.

A female motorist stopped to offer assistance and the man asked to be taken to the Laclede Store.

 Once inside the woman’s car, he attempted to assault her. The woman, however, was able to fend off the attack and flee, sheriff’s officials said.

Those with information about the incident or the identity of the assailant are asked to contact Bonner Dispatch at 265-5525 or Det. Sgt. Phyllis Jay at 946-6693.