Police: Man robbed, assaulted woman with flat tire

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. - A woman who thought she had a flat tire and some help from a driver of a pickup truck instead was robbed and assaulted, according to investigators.

It happened March 4 around 1:45 p.m. along South Flatrock Road near Cedar Mountain Road. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said the victim was checking her tire when a man got out of a bluish colored Ford Ranger style truck and appeared as if he was going to help. Deputies said the man instead took her purse and assaulted her.

The sheriff’s office released a composite sketch of the man Friday.

The victim didn't want her name used, but spoke to FOX 5 on the phone. She said the young man was in a blue Ford Ranger.

"He walked up and asked if he could help me and the next thing I knew he grabbed my purse and I had my purse over my shoulder and he grabbed the purse and ran off," said the victim.

She said she is still shaken from the ordeal, but wants to help authorities capture the man. She said he came at her with a nice demeanor that quickly turned violent.

"He was pulling for the purse and and I was too so it wasn't like he knocked me down and beat me up or anything," said the victim.

She said she suffered only cuts and bruises. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office told FOX 5 they do not have any reports of similar crimes in their area. Investigators said they are also checking with other agencies in Metro Atlanta to determine if he has other victims elsewhere. The woman who was attacked and robbed said he needs to be stopped.

"Somebody is out there running around grabbing peoples' purses. I don't want anybody going through the same thing," said the victim.

Anyone with any information the crime is asked to call the Inv. M.W. Howell at 770-920-4915 or leave an anonymous tip by calling 678-486-1253.