Running Shorts

General area of the August Metropolitan Branch Trail attacks.

• Police patrols have increased and overgrown trees have been trimmed around the Metropolitan Branch Trail following two August evening attacks on the trail by groups of assailants.

The Washington Post reports a runner was punched in the face Aug. 15 and surrounded by five suspects, who took the runner’s phone. On Aug. 11,  four robbers, one with a knife,  surrounded the victim, taking a phone and $30.

Both incidents occurred at the north end of the trail before it reaches Edgewood Street NE, near the Dew Drop Inn, and both happened around 8:45 p.m.

• WTOP reports that a man attempted to abduct a woman running on a trail near 8351 Stonewall Road in Manassas Aug. 18 at 9:38 a.m.