A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault and kidnapping in an attack of a woman jogging last week in Reid Park, Tucson police said.
King David Rugamba approached the jogger about 10 p.m. on May 14 while she was using the park’s multi-use path near the corner of East 22nd Street and South Country Club Road, a complaint filed in Pima County Justice Court says.
Rugamba initially tried to get the woman’s attention by showing her his phone, and asking her to take her headphones out. She waved Rugamba off and resumed her run, the complaint says.
Rugamba then grabbed the jogger around her body and put his hand over her mouth before attempting to pull her into a parking lot, police said. A struggle ensued, but the jogger was able to run out into traffic on 22nd Street and yell for help.
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Rugamba allegedly grabbed the jogger a second time, but she was able to break free, police said.
A bystander and an off-duty police officer tried to intervene, but Rugamba ran off, police said. He was not found that night in a search of he area.
The victim initially reported no injuries, but was diagnosed with a concussion when she went to an emergency room three days after the attack.
Investigators identified Rugumba as the alleged attacker after searching through surveillance cameras.
Rugamba’s DNA matched swabs taken from the woman’s skin and clothing, according to a probable cause statement filed in court.
Rugamba was arrested May 20 following a search of his home.
He was booked into the Pima County jail on kidnapping and aggravated assault charges. He was being held without bond.
Police say Rugamba has an extensive criminal history, including a 2022 arrest in a deadly Tucson shooting.
The investigations continue. Detectives ask that witnesses or anyone with information contact 88-CRIME, the anonymous tip line.
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