THOMASVILLE, Ga. — A teen reportedly was attacked in a restroom at Balfour Park — also known as the city dog park — Sunday night.

The 18-year-old victim and her mother had been to the beach and were returning to their home in Valdosta when they stopped shortly after 8 p.m. at the 415 S. Pinetree Blvd park to walk their dog, according to authorities.

The teen went to the park restroom while her mother remained outside to walk the dog. When the teen exited a stall, a man grabbed her by the back of the sweat shirt she was wearing, asked her why she was there and inquired about her age, said Maj. Wade Glover, Thomasville Police Department public information officer.

When the teen attempted to run past him, the man attempted to grab her again as she ran from the restroom. She escaped and ran to the car where her mother was waiting, a police incident report states.

“She was shaken up, but was not injured,” Glover said of the victim.

Police set up a perimeter and used a canine in an attempt to track the man, but the dog was not successful in finding the assailant’s trail.

Officers found alcoholic beverage containers in restrooms, indicating the man might have been living or staying at the park, Glover said.

“Those bottles were collected for evidentiary purposes,” Glover said. “We hope to make a positive ID from evidence collected at the scene,”

The assailant was described as white, six feet tall, bald and wearing a white shirt.

Police patrols will be increased at all city parks. Glover urged the public to be aware of their surroundings.

Police ask that if anyone sees a man fitting the dog park assailant’s description, they should call 911 immediately.

“If he’s out there, he might be at any park hanging around bathrooms. Don’t confront him,” Glover said.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820