Reported By Jacqueline Fell
ORLANDO -- Lisa Baker has been a runner most her life. The health factors keep her moving, but she says it is because of a strange man that she now runs with good company.
“I used to run alone a lot, but not anymore I try not to anymore just too many creeps out there,” Baker said.
A scary situation while out on a run has her forever partnering up and now carrying pepper spray.
A man drove up behind her and a friend and wanted to talk.
“He said some completely inappropriate graphic things to us and we just we left,” Baker said. “We talked to our husbands and called police and made a formal report.”
Baker's story isn't unique. Officials say thousands of women are approached, and even attacked while on runs, especially those running alone. It's hard to give numbers because officials say there are plenty of women that don't file a report.
The latest attack reported to police came on Friday. A 47-year-old woman says she was jogging down Augusta National Drive when a man jumped out of the car and tried to shove her into it.
The woman was able to pull away and then run away.
She wasn't able to provide a description to police and says she doesn't want to prosecute.
Stacey Bartos runs with several groups in Central Florida. She even organizes her own to make sure she always has at least one buddy.
"Not only do you have a companion to run with, to talk with, not only to make the time go by faster, you have somebody to be with you in case you get hurt," Bartos said. “Or in case there’s somebody out there looking to harass runners or attack them"
Baker has also joined a group just for women, but she still carries the Mace.
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