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Woman assaulted in downtown alley

She was injured in the struggle, which took place Saturday.

By Abby Rogers
May 6, 2008

Graphic/Amy Oslica

A woman was attacked Saturday while she was walking in an alley from Ninth Street to Eighth Street between Broadway and Cherry Street, according to a Columbia Police Department news release.

The suspect approached her from behind and repeatedly asked her “Do you want your life?” the news release stated.

The woman did not know her attacker, CPD Sgt. Ken Hammond said.

The victim struggled against her attacker and kicked him in the legs.

She ran to Broadway where she flagged down a group of people who called the police.

The victim dropped her purse and her cell phone during her struggle with the suspect.

“Just the belongings in her purse were taken,” Hammond said.

The victim was uninjured. Police are looking for a suspect.

“The suspect saw an opportunity to rob this individual and took advantage of it,” Hammond said.

There have been no other attacks in the area recently.

“This is not an area where this happens often,” Hammond said.

This attack is being investigated like any other crime, he said. The patrol units are aware of the crime.

“Our patrol units are diligent,” Hammond said.

First Ward Councilman Paul Sturtz said he is aware of the robberies that have occurred in the area.

“It’s a pretty big issue,” Sturtz said. “We need to look at it as a community across the board.”