Woman attacked while walking in Bluffton gives suspect details, police say

A woman who alleges she was beat by an unknown assailant as he attempted to rape her in the early morning hours Saturday near Bluestone Apartments in Bluffton has given police a more detailed description of the suspect.

The man is described as an African American male in his 30s, according to a release from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. He also has a crooked nose which was possibly previously broken along with a missing upper front tooth, it states.

An estimated weight and height of the man are unknown at this time. The victim said the man has a possible speech impediment, the report states. She told police he has difficulty pronouncing the letter “S”.

It is reported the man was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and latex gloves.

Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Bluestone Apartments, at 4921 Bluffton Parkway, to find the victim screaming for help in one of the apartments at approximately midnight.

The woman told police she had been walking her dog near an access road to the apartment complex when approached by the suspect. She said the man started punching her in the face, pushed her to the ground and was ripping her clothes off while stating his intentions to sexually assault her, a release states.

The victim’s dog became aggressive toward the man prior to him running off in an unknown direction, the release states.

Emergency Medical Services transported the victim, who was emotionally distraught and sustained physical injuries, to a local hospital for treatment, the report states. She has since been released.

Sheriff’s Office Capt. Bob Bromage said there is no reason to believe that Saturday’s attack is related to a sexual assault reported to police mid-summer.

In that July case, a woman reported being sexually assaulted by an unknown assailant while walking near the entrance of the Sandy Pointe neighborhood in Bluffton.

The woman said she was attacked shortly after 7 p.m. while walking on a trail when approached by an unknown man wearing a dark hoodie, the report states. She was unable to give a description of the man’s race, height and weight.

“There are different levels of violence and different behaviors,” Bromage said about the two cases Saturday.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking residents in the Bluestone Apartments along with nearby areas on Bluffton Parkway to remain vigilant. It is also asking that anyone walking at night to remain in well lit areas and to walk in pairs.

Anyone who might have witnessed something in the area or has any information on the subject should call the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Dispatch at 9-1-1 or Sergeant Seth Reynells at 843 255-3709.

Those wishing to remain anonymous and to be considered for a reward can provide their information to CrimeStoggers 1-888-CrimeSC.

This story was originally published November 4, 2017 at 4:23 PM with the headline "Woman attacked while walking in Bluffton gives suspect details, police say."