Mom groped in Arlington park while walking child

ARLINGTON, Va. - A man groped a 27-year-old woman who was walking in a park with her young child, Arlington County police said.

The incident happened around 8 p.m. last Friday while the victim and her 3-year-old daughter were walking on a trail in Lubber Run Park. As it was getting dark, the woman told police an intoxicated man began to follow her and then assaulted her.

"As he got closer, she bend down to shield her daughter, and that's when he groped her," said Dustin Sternbeck with Arlington County police. "She cries out for help and that causes him to flee the scene. "

There have been five similar cases in the Arlington area since late July, but police have not linked the incidents.

"We're not willing to categorize it as a serial attacker just yet, but we're actively looking into the fact that they are connected," said Sternbeck.

Police released sketches from the July 25 and July 31 assaults. The suspects in all six of the cases have the same general description: Hispanic man in his 20s, medium build and average height.

Authorities said they are stepping up patrols in the area as a result of the recent assaults.