Eric Bellquist No Longer a Suspect in Putney Bridge Jogger Case
Wagamama director had said he could prove he was out of the country
The man who was arrested last Thursday by police investigating and assault on a woman by a jogger on Putney Bridge has now been ruled out as a suspect.
41-year-old Eric Bellquist had been questioned on suspicion of GBH and had been released under investigation but this Saturday afternoon (12 August) the police have said that he has been eliminated from the investigation and no further action will be taken.
Mr Bellquist had said that he was able to prove he was out of the country at the time of the attack. The Chelsea resident works for a private equity firm and sits on the boards of the Wagamama and Byron Hamburger restaurant chains.
Eric Bellquist
Officers previously issued CCTV of the incident and received a good response from the appeal. We have been asked to remove the footage and CCTV stills showing the suspect from our web site by the police in order not to potentially prejudice any court proceedings.
At about 7.40am on Friday, 5 May the 33-year-old victim was walking across Putney Bridge on the east side heading in the direction of Fulham towards Putney Bridge Tube Station when a male jogger knocked her over into the road and into the path of an oncoming bus, which narrowly missed hitting her.
The bus stopped and some passengers got off and rushed to the victim's aid. She received minor injuries from the incident.
About 15 minutes later the jogger came back the other way across the bridge. The victim tried to speak to him but he did not acknowledge her and carried on jogging.
The jogger is described as a white man, aged early to mid-thirties, with brown eyes and short brown hair. He was wearing a light grey t-shirt and dark blue shorts.
Officers are still appealing for any witnesses to the incident or anyone who recognises the jogger in the CCTV to get in touch. Anyone with information or any witnesses are asked to call Putney Safer Neighbourhood Team on 020 8785 8874 or 101 or tweet @MetCC.
Information can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.
August 12, 2017