Police have released CCTV footage of a man suspected of sexually assaulting a woman in central Auckland just before the attack took place on Friday morning.
The woman was jogging along the track by the Northern Motorway at about 5am, heading in the direction of the CBD, when a man dragged her into bushes near St Mary's Road, St Mary's Bay.
He then sexually assaulted and tried to strangle her.
Fortunately, a passing cyclist heard the woman's screams and came to her aid, chasing after the offender as he fled the scene.
The man was last seen running up a driveway and jumping over a fence into a property backing onto Swift Ave and Hackett St.
Auckland City Police published footage on their official Facebook page showing a man in a hoodie on a walking path that leads down to where the attack took place.
Detective Senior Sergeant Glenn Baldwin says enquiries and CCTV footage have also revealed that the suspected offender was on Beaumont St opposite Victoria Park not long before the attack.
The man has been described as having dark skin, short black hair and a slim build, and is possibly aged between 18 to 38.
Police say the man may have been finishing up a night out or could have been wandering the streets throughout the night.
Any St Mary's Bay residents who saw anything unusual on Friday morning are strongly urged to contact the Operation Mackerel Team on (09) 820 5784, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Newshub.