Howard County police are investigating the assault of an elderly woman in Columbia this morning.
Police were called to the 7000 block of Cradlerock Way in the Owen Brown area around 6:35 a.m. for a report that an 80-year-old woman had been injured. Investigators learned that the victim was on a morning walk when an unknown man came up behind her, cut her neck and fled. The woman was taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma where she is in stable condition.
The man did not say anything to the victim or take anything from her. Detectives are working to determine a motive in the case.
The suspect is described as a black male with his face covered, possibly in his 20’s, with a thin build, wearing all dark clothing. He was last seen running in the direction of the Owen Brown Village Center.
Police are urging people to be aware of their surroundings and to consider walking outdoors with a partner, with appropriate social distancing. Detectives are asking anyone who may have seen or heard something in the area this morning to contact police at 410-313-STOP or HCPDcrimetips@howardcountymd.gov.
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