DURHAM - A Durham man was arrested Tuesday night after a jogger told officers she was assaulted while jogging on the American Tobacco Trail.

Leon Edwards, 48, of Woodcroft Parkway, was charged with one count of misdemeanor sexual battery. His bail was set at $3,000.

The jogger told officers she was on the trail near the 5600 block of Fayetteville Road around 8:15 p.m. Tuesday when a man approached and asked her several times for her phone number. She refused and jogged away. Approximately 10 minutes later, she was jogging back on the trail when the same man jumped out from the bushes and grabbed her from behind. She was able to get away and flag down an officer.

Police found Edwards, who matched the description given by the victim, behind the Circle K on Woodcroft Parkway.

Police last issued a warning to trail users in May after three assaults were reported in two weeks between Cana Street and Pilot Street in southern Durham. In each incident, a group of young men approached people walking or jogging on the trail, and in some cases, stole items from them.

No arrests were made in those incidents, police spokesman Kammie Michael said Wednesday.

Anyone with information about these or other incidents should call Crime Stoppers at 919-683-1200.

Police also offer the following crime prevention tips:

• Call 911 to report any suspicious activity. Be aware of your surroundings at all times.

• Walk in well-lit areas that are not isolated

• Do not walk alone at night

• Be aware of your surroundings

• When walking, avoid strangers or groups of strangers

• If you are being followed, get away fast, change directions, and head towards a safe location

• Carry a personal alarm with you to deter potential attackers