NEWBERRY COUNTY — The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in finding a man who assaulted and robed a woman on Wednesday night.

According to the Newberry County Sheriff’s Department, deputies and investigators responded to the home of a 73-year-old woman who lives on Green Meadows Drive just after 10:30 p.m.

The victim had been able to remove some of the bindings but was still partially restrained by Duct tape and a telephone cord. Investigators said the victim had clear markings on her neck and legs from where she had been tied up.

The victim told investigators that she opened the door to get into her vehicle and when she did, the suspect, who had been laying in the seat, kicked her in the chest.

The suspect forced the victim inside the home, where he bound her using the Duct tape and phone cord then took money and jewelry. He forced her into her vehicle still bound and drove her around. He then took her back to the residence and demanded more money.

It was after the suspect left the scene that the victim was able to escape enough of the bindings to call 911. She did receive medical treatment and was released from the hospital with a broken collar bone and related minor injuries.

The suspect fled the scene in the victim’s car, which was found near Boyd’s Crossing Road. The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division used bloodhounds to search the area, but the suspect was not located. The vehicle was taken to the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office crime lab for processing.

The Newberry City Police Department offered assistance throughout the investigation.

The suspect is described as a black male. He had dread lock style hair, was approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed approximately 150 pounds. The suspect was wearing a red T-shirt, blue jeans, and a black hoodie.

Law enforcement said that based on their investigation, the suspect was familiar with the victim before this incident. They would not elaborate on the connection at this time citing the integrity of the investigation.

The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office is offering a substantial reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect. If you have information you can contact the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office at (803) 321-2222, email your tip to tips@ncso.sc.gov, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

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Staff Report