RENTON, Wash. — Renton police have arrested a man in connection with the sexual assault of a jogger along the Longacres Trail thanks to a tip from the public.Of
Renton police have arrested a man in connection with the sexual assault of a jogger along the Longacres Trail thanks to a tip from the public.
Officers responded to the 1900 block of Oakdale Avenue just before 9:30 a.m. Saturday, where they found a woman who had been violently attacked while out on a run as her son was nearby at soccer practice.
The suspect, Thomas Elijah Moss, 23, is being held on $1 million bail at the King County Jail. He is a convicted felon, according to police, and now faces possible charges of robbery, assault and rape in connection with the Renton attack.
During the suspect’s first appearance Thursday, a King County prosecutor told the court the victim was attacked by a man who followed her on his bike.
"This victim suffered incredibly traumatizing injuries, including suffocation, multiple times during which she tried to talk down Mr. Moss from further harming her," the prosecutor said.
The prosecutor added that as the victim pleaded for her life, it only seemed to make the suspect angrier.
An image of the suspect on Sept. 12, 2026. (Renton Police Department)The victim’s spouse addressed the court remotely Thursday, pushing for Moss to remain in custody.
“He has shown he has no compassion, no self-respect and no dignity,” the spouse said. “There is no amount, no price, no acceptable reason why this person should continue to have any freedom to run, play, and work.”
Court documents detail the violent attack, stating the suspect “put his hands over her mouth and throat and began to strangle her,” at times “causing her to feel like she was going to black out.”
According to court documents, the victim told investigators “she didn’t want to die, and at times during the assault believed the suspect was going to kill her, but that it would be inadvertent.”
The assault ended when another soccer parent, also out on the trail, approached.
“The suspect saw this individual who was on the trail, and I think that interrupted him enough for the victim to maneuver and get away and get herself to safety,” said Cmdr. Susan Lewis of the Renton Police Department.
Police released images of the suspect, described as a Black man wearing glasses and a bright purple hoodie with ears attached to the hood, and requested the public’s help in locating him.
After days of searching, investigators got the break they needed from an anonymous tip. The caller recognized the suspect’s description and distinctive clothing.
The tip led police to Miracle Village Tiny Homes in nearby Tukwila, where Moss lives.
Court records state that DNA from a pair of glasses found at the scene also matches the suspect, and the victim identified him in a photo lineup.
Prosecutors also said Moss has two pending matters in mental health court and is currently in violation of all conditions of his release for failing to appear for review.
A judge found probable cause to hold Moss in custody for rape, assault and robbery, and prosecutors are expected to file formal charges in the coming days.
Moss's next court date is a second appearance, set for Friday afternoon.
