ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A jogger reported she was able to run away from a man who pulled a gun on her.
The 23-year-old woman, who 10News is only identifying as Allie to protect her identity, was jogging on the sidewalk near Coffee Pot Boulevard and 21st Avenue NE, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department.
"I try to stay in the most well lit and populated areas," she told 10News. This morning was no different as she set out for her usual four and a half mile run through her Old Northeast St. Petersburg neighborhood.
A man approached her in his car and asked for directions.
“He rolled down his window, so I slowed my pace and he was like ‘I need directions to 4th Street, where is 4th Street?’" Allie said.
After doing so, police say he pulled out a gun and pointed it toward her.
"He said ‘why don’t you get in the car’ and I … I was just in shock," she recalls.
She said instinct took over, she yelled 'no' and was able to run away.
Police are looking for a burnt orange crossover vehicle, likened to a Toyota Scion. Suspect information is limited.
"She did everything she could," said St. Petersburg Police Department spokesperson Yolanda Fernandez.
While police commended the woman for how she reacted, they recommend joggers switch up their routes, never wear both headphones and to always try to carry something for protection.
"If you can carry any kind of device for self defense like a personal alarm, some pepper spray," Fernandez said. "This is the sort of thing that can happen anywhere. It doesn’t matter how safe your neighborhood is or where you live."
Jennifer Stevens, who lives in the area and walks by herself multiple times a day, says she is always taking preventative steps to stay safe.
"I actually do have a concealed carry permit so if I feel like I’m in a vulnerable time of day I usually always have my firearm with me," she said. "I still love it here and I’m always going to feel safe here.”
As for Allie, she says this won't stop her from running. The only thing she regrets is not taking down the man's license plate number. But she says it was ultimately some longtime advice that she believes just might have saved her life.
"They teach you in grade school to never get in the car with someone you don’t know because once I’m in the car, I have lost all control," she said.
"I hope that it just makes other aware."
Anyone who might have seen or heard anything is asked to call police at 727-893-7780.
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