Police say an 18-year-old woman fought off a man who tried to rape her Thursday night in a Guilford park near Johns Hopkins University.

The woman and another 18-year-old female were in a park in the 3600 block of Greenway at about 6:30 p.m. when a man tried to strike up a conversation, said police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. A short time later, the man exposed himself and threatened the victims, police said.

They started to run away, but the suspect tackled one of the victims and attempted to sexually assault her, Guglielmi said. She was able to break free after kicking him in the midsection, and he ran off, police said. 

The suspect is described as a black man in his early 20s, standing about 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-8 and 140 pounds, Guglielmi said. He was wearing dark clothing and fled eastbound toward Guilford Road. Police were working to develop a sketch and were examining whether there have been incidents reported in the area that have any similarities to the attack.

Guglielmi said Johns Hopkins University has been briefed on the incident, but the victims were not university students. 

Police said anyone with information or who observes any suspicious activity should contact 911 or the Northern District at 410-396-2455.