Bicyclist who assaulted man on Loudoun County bike trail caught with help of fitness app, police say

ASHBURN, Va. - A fitness app helped detectives track down a bicyclist accused of assaulting another bicyclist on a trial in Loudoun County back in April, according to officials.

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said the help of a fitness app and information from witnesses helped them find 48-year-old Edward Shortnacy of Vienna.

Authorities said Shortnacy was on his bicycle on the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail near Ashburn Village Boulevard on April 22 when he clotheslined a bicyclist riding in the opposite direction, seriously injuring the victim.

According to detectives, Shortnacy was attempting to pass two bicyclists when he was riding on the center line of the trail. As the victim was bicycling in the opposite direction, Shortnacy reached his arm out and intentionally struck the victim on his helmet, officials said.

The victim crashed to the ground and was hospitalized with serious injuries, according to the sheriff's office.

Detectives said they learned the suspect was using the STRAVA app when he assaulted the victim. Investigators said they used that information and details from witnesses to track down and eventually identify Shortnacy as the suspect.

The sheriff's office said Shortnacy turned himself in to authorities on Thursday and was charged malicious wounding. He was released on $5,000 bond, according to officials.