Police search for attacker

TUSCUMBIA - Police are looking for a man who assaulted and robbed a 73-year-old woman outside her home Monday evening.

Tuscumbia Sgt. Stuart Setliff said the assault occurred about 9:30 p.m. at a Bernice Street residence in the Valdosta community.

Setliff said the victim drove from Florence to her residence, got out of her car and was about to unlock the door to her home when the attack occurred.

"She said a black male wearing a hooded sweatshirt runs at her and starts hitting her in the head with a glass bottle," Setliff said. "She was hit at least three times and then the bottle shattered."

Setliff said the victim said she fell to the ground during the attack.

"After he stopped hitting her, he grabbed her purse and took off running," Setliff said.

Setliff said the victim's cries for help drew the attention of a neighbor. The victim's roommate came out of the home, saw the victim covered in blood and called 911, according to reports.

"(The victim) said she didn't get a good look at the man's face because she had blood in her eyes from the cut on her head," Setliff said.

The woman described her attacker as approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, medium build, and approximately 160 pounds.

She was treated at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital.

Reports indicate the robber got away with the woman's purse, a personal check made out to the victim, two cell phones, credit and debit cards and $50.

"This was nothing but a cowardly act," Setliff said. "We believe he was waiting on her to get home, and then he attacks this defensive lady."

Detectives found evidence to indicate that a car was likely parked nearby that the robber used to get away.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 383-3121 or CrimeStoppers at 386-8685.

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.