Arlington Heights woman fights off attacker with pepper spray

A woman fought off an attacker with pepper spray on Monday night and now police are asking for the public's help catching the man.

According to a crime alert sent out Thursday by the Arlington Heights Police Department, a man approached a 23-year-old woman from behind when she was about to exit her vehicle around 10:35 p.m. in her apartment parking lot in the 600 block of Happfield Drive.

He grabbed her around the neck with both hands and ordered her out of the car. The woman tried to push him away and was able to reach her keychain, which had a small canister of pepper spray attached, according to the alert.

The woman sprayed the offender who then ran away. The woman did not require medical attention.

The man is described as black, in his mid 20s, about 6-foot-5 and very thin. He was wearing a light-colored baseball cap, dark baggy shirt, blue jeans and white shoes.

Anyone with information can contact Arlington Heights Crime Stoppers at (847) 590-STOP. Calls are anonymous and can result in an award if an offender is arrested.