SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

Sheriff's Office Looking for Suspect in Attack of Elderly Man at Local Pace Business

On Saturday, 6/14/2008 at approximately 1050 hours, Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to the parking lot of Home Depot located in the 4800 block of Highway 90. An anonymous complainant contacted the Sheriff's Office stating that an elderly man had been struck in the face over allegedly striking another vehicle with his car door. Upon the deputies arriving at Home Depot, they located the 78 year old victim and his wife. The victim's wife stated that someone had punched her husband in the face, knocking him unconscious. Deputies observed the victim covered in blood holding a bandage to his mouth. The victim was transported to a local hospital by ambulance where he received numerous stitches to his lip due to the severity of the cuts. The victim was interviewed by deputies and he stated the following. The victim pulled into a parking spot and opened his car door. When he exited his car, a white male adult approached him and accused him of striking his car with the victim's door. The victim told the suspect that he didn't believe that he struck the man's vehicle, but apologized if he did. The suspect then struck the victim in the face with his fist and left the scene in his vehicle, leaving the elderly man unconscious and bleeding in the parking lot. A description of the suspect and vehicle is listed below. There were no scuffs or damage located on the victim's car door. The Sheriff's Office is asking for assistance in identifying the suspect and is asking for any witnesses to come forward. Anyone with information concerning the suspect is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at 983-1190 or Santa Rosa County Crime Stoppers at 437-STOP. Anyone providing information which results in the arrest of the suspect is eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000.00.

SUSPECT DESCRIPTION:

W/M, 30-35 years old, 5'10", short blonde or light brown hair, clean cut "full" face,

No glasses.

POSSIBLE VEHICLE DESCRIPTION:

White car, possibly a Nissan or Toyota

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

Media Relations Unit

(850) 981-2136 or shaines@srso.net