Police say the woman fought back; federal officials later placed an immigration detainer on the suspect.
PLANO, Texas — A 17-year-old was arrested after a woman jogging at Bob Woodruff Park was hit with a hammer around 5 p.m. on Nov. 13, police said. The attacker ran, but officers used items left at the scene to identify and locate a suspect hours later.
Authorities say the case is now moving on two tracks: a local felony prosecution and a federal hold. Plano police arrested Sergio Noe De Nova Duarte on a charge of aggravated kidnapping with the intent to cause bodily injury, a first-degree felony under Texas law. County jail officials set bond at $250,000 and recorded a request from the Department of Homeland Security to be notified before any release so federal agents can take custody. Investigators have not identified a motive and said the suspect and victim did not know each other.
Police said the woman was jogging along the trail network in the 2300 block of Shiloh Road when she was struck at least twice with a hammer. A witness called 911 about a woman on the ground with visible bleeding. “Given the nature of this incident and this attack, this could have gone so much worse,” Detective Alexandra Cole said. “Luckily, she was brave enough to be able to fight her attacker off.” Officers recovered a hammer and other items, including duct tape, at multiple locations in the park and used them to track a suspect. The victim was taken to a hospital with injuries described as serious but not life-threatening and has since been stabilized, police said.
Plano Police Officer Andrae Smith said the evidence trail led investigators to a residence in the city, where the teenager was detained without incident. Smith said the department had no prior criminal history for the suspect. Jail records show De Nova Duarte was booked Friday, Nov. 14, and remained in the Collin County Detention Facility through the weekend. County officials said federal authorities lodged an immigration detainer after the suspect’s fingerprints were processed. Police emphasized there is no broader threat tied to the case and increased patrols at parks as the investigation continued.
Local officials said the suspect and victim were strangers, and detectives are still examining the route, timing and any planning that may have preceded the assault. Public safety statements from the department stressed that patrols and the Neighborhood Police Unit were riding trails around Bob Woodruff Park following the arrest. The park spans roughly 250 acres on Plano’s east side and includes popular loop paths and wooded areas. Police did not release the victim’s name, citing privacy protections, and said no additional victims have been identified. The department did not disclose what, if anything, was said during the attack.
Federal officials said an immigration hold was placed on De Nova Duarte following his arrest in Plano. According to statements from Homeland Security officials, the teenager had previous encounters with authorities and was released to appear before an immigration judge at a later date. Local jail records list the federal request to be notified before any county release. Collin County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jessica Pond said the suspect will be transferred to federal custody after the county case concludes; any immigration proceedings would happen independently of the criminal case. Officials did not release further details about the suspect’s current immigration status.
The felony charge — aggravated kidnapping with intent to inflict bodily injury — can be filed when evidence suggests an attempt to restrain or move a victim during an assault. Prosecutors in Collin County will review the police case file, including physical evidence and witness accounts, before presenting it to a grand jury. As of Monday, no court date had been posted in county dockets. If indicted, the case would be assigned to a district court in McKinney, where arraignment and future hearings would be scheduled. The police investigation remained open as detectives processed evidence collected from multiple areas of the park.
Neighbors who frequent the trails said the arrest brought some relief but also concern about safety during evening runs. “You see families and cyclists here every day,” said Janet Miller, who lives nearby. “Hearing someone was attacked is unsettling, but it helps to know police acted quickly.” A runner who passed through the area Friday morning described more patrol cars than usual and tape marking a section of the path where officers worked the scene. Police said they expect to release additional details after forensic testing on the recovered items is complete.
As of Monday afternoon, the teenager remained in the Collin County jail on $250,000 bond while prosecutors reviewed the case for presentation to a grand jury. Police said updates on the investigation will be released when available, and federal officials said the immigration detainer will take effect if the county case results in a release. Further hearings in the criminal case are expected to be scheduled this week.
Author note: Last updated November 17, 2025.