Reward increased for arrest of suspect who raped elderly woman | News

CALHOUN COUNTY, AL (WBRC)- Calhoun County authorities are hoping an increase in reward money will help them find a man who raped an 82-year-old woman. The attack happened July 15 in the Oak Grove community on the Etowah-Calhoun county line.

Governor Robert Bentley announced Thursday he is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.

Authorities say a male suspect approached the elderly woman in her driveway, as if to ask for directions. The suspect knocked the woman down, raped her and took her purse, according to investigators. The victim told officials she believes the man followed her home from where she was shopping at a Dollar General in Alexandria.

The suspect is described as a man with dark hair in his 40s to 50s, weighing around 250 pounds. He drove a white, late-model car.

The woman suffered from a heart attack during the attack and underwent open heart surgery this week. Investigators say she has been helping them in the case as much as possible.

"She's been an excellent witness.  We're moving forward on that.  Obviously we don't want to do anything to have any adverse impact on her current medical crisis, so we're patiently waiting to do some other things," Calhoun County Sheriff Larry Amerson said.

In a release announcing the increased reward, Governor Bentley said no one should ever have to suffer what this victim endured, and added that "whoever committed this brutal assault must be brought to justice."

"I believe someone has the information that detectives need to identify and locate the attacker.  I hope that by offering this reward, we can encourage whoever has that information to speak up," Governor Bentley.

The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office is also offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office at 256-236-6600.

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