January 12, 2007

AUGUSTA, Ga.---The search is intense for a man deputies say raped an elderly woman early Tuesday (January 9).

It happened in the 2500 block of Walton Way near ASU and several other schools.

Investigators are going on little sleep after following up on dozens of leads stemming from a composite sketch...but the forensic artist isn't the only one they've called in to help.

"Anytime we ask for the public's help, of course, we need to have the manpower to handle the influx of calls that come in," Sgt. Richard Roundtree told News 12.

Sgt. Roundtree is one of eight minds devoted to finding the man who robbed and raped a 74-year-old woman inside her home on Walton Way.

Investigators are banking on someone recognizing his face.

"We were able to get a very solid description from witnesses in the area who have seen the subject in the area prior to this incident," Sgt. Roundtree said.

Tonight, Walton Way was animated as always, but several folks who live there said it's hard to forget that someone hurt their neighbor.

"I definitely make sure that my doors are locked in my apartment and also my car as well," said neighbor Michael Clark. "It's just an eye opener. It makes you think."

23-year-old Clark is a student at ASU. He worries about the man who's attacked here once before.

"Living across Augusta State especially, you know the student welfare and everything like that. It's shocking," he said.

Investigators have already fielded dozens of tips from their composite sketch. They've also collected physical evidence from the scene.

They hope these clues will lead to an arrest soon.

"We bring in any resources that we have and any resources to bear on this case," Sgt. Roundtree said. "Each lead, we never know which one will be the one that breaks the case."

Investigators have also activated a reverse 9-1-1 call, informing neighbors within a several mile radius of where this happened to alert them there might be an increase in police presence and also suggest they be on the lookout for anything or anyone suspicious.