NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Forest Hills community is on alert again following an attack that police said may be the work of a man they call the “wooded rapist.”

Reward Offered For Forest Hills Attacker Information

The man has eluded police for 12 years, and an attack just before Christmas is similar to his previous crimes, police said.

Officials said that sex crime detectives are looking into the crime that happened five days ago.

The attack happened just after a thunderstorm, a characteristic of the other attacks, officials said.

The next morning, police said, the man broke into a house and tried to rape a woman.

They said the woman fought back and managed to escape with injuries, but the man stole some of her belongings.

Police said they have dubbed the man the “wooded rapist,” because the attacks have come in a tree-lined area and after a rain.

Police said they are focusing on the victim to help them solve the case.

“We’re going to respond immediately and we’re going to talk to the victim and make sure the victim gets all the care that she needs at the time. We’re going to follow up on all the forensic evidence that we have, and we’re going to do whatever it takes,” said Metro sex crimes Sgt. Keith Elliot.

Police said they do not have enough evidence right now to conclude that the person responsible in the attack was the “wooded rapist.”

Attacker Puts Area Residents On Edge

“This rapist has been active in our neighborhood for going on 10 years,” said a man who asked to not be identified.

The man didn’t want to reveal his identity because he didn’t want to give the man responsible for the attacks any motivation.

“I don’t want my face, my wife’s face or anybody in my family’s face on TV to give this nut any ideas,” he said. “Everyone is this neighborhood and everyone in this area is on alert and watching.”

The city of Forest Hills is also offering a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to a conviction.

“That’s pitiful that you can’t walk around the neighborhood you live in without that constantly on your mind,” the man said.

The reward has been in effect for four months.

Police originally didn’t want the city to announce a reward in fear of people trying to cash in on it.

VIDEO: Forest Hills On Alert After Woman Attacked