EL CAJON, Calif. -- A man attempted to kidnap a 19-year-old woman as she was jogging along an East County road on Sunday, sheriff's deputies said on Monday.

It happened along Quail Canyon Road between Palomino Ridge and Blossom Springs Road.

San Diego County sheriff's deputies said a man driving a white van tackled the woman from behind and tried to drag her in the bushes, tearing her clothing. The woman then hit the man, causing him to lose his balance and fall, which allowed her to escape.

Robin Johnson, who heads up Blossom Valley's Neighborhood Watch, e-mails safety updates to more than 500 homes in the area.

"He grabbed her from behind, ripped her shirt and she pushed him," said Johnson. "She thought that that startled him and she took off running."

Still, many who live in the area are on edge.

Ann Nathman, who lives near the attack site, told 10News, "It's very disturbing. I've lived here for 19 years and to think that someone could just be out running and be abducted, [it's] very upsetting."

Rachel Nathman lives nearby and said she used to run in the area.

"I'm worried more about getting hit by a car, but that's because you're out in Blossom Valley," she said. "For crime and abductions, I don't really associate those with Blossom Valley."

The van was last seen driving on Quail Canyon Road toward Blossom Valley.

The man is described as a white or Hispanic male who is 20 to 35 years old. He was clean shaven, wearing a Padres baseball cap and was driving a white box-style van, possibly a Ford.

The young woman is said to be upset but physically unharmed. Deputies plan to re-interview her to see if she remembers any more details about her attacker.

"It's a very well-traveled street, although I don't know what would lead somebody to believe that they could attack someone on that street... good for her," said Johnson.