An 82-year-old woman told sheriff’s deputies she was attacked in the driveway of her home in the Oak Grove area of northern Calhoun County before noon after returning from a Dollar General store in Alexandria, said Calhoun County Chief Deputy Matthew Wade. The woman said she believes she was followed to her home from the store.
During the attack the woman was thrown to the ground and sexually assaulted, Wade said, and her attacker stole her wallet.
Wade said the woman suffered a broken hip and likely had a heart attack during the attack. She is currently at Gadsden Regional Medical Center and is scheduled to have open heart surgery Wednesday.
The woman told police her attacker was a heavyset male in his 40s or 50s and was driving a “newer” white car.
Wade said the Sheriff’s Office had a couple of initial suspects earlier this week, but all were cleared. They are currently running through sex-offender registries in both Calhoun and Etowah counties in hopes of finding a suspect, he said.
“We have no evidence this person has done this before, but normally these types of crimes are part of a pattern,” Wade said. “It’s frustrating to have someone like this in your community and not have any leads to go on.”
Wade said he hopes to get a sketch of suspect from the victim after she recovers from surgery.
Anyone with information should contact the Calhoun County Sheriffs’ Office at 256-236-6600.
Staff writer Brian Anderson: 256-235-3546. On Twitter @BAnderson_Star.
