Authorities in Henry County are now offering a $7,500 reward for information about a man who walked into an apartment at a senior living community and sexually assaulted the woman living there.
At a news conference Tuesday, Sheriff Reginald Scandrett said investigators are still trying to find the man accused of committing the assault at the Heritage at McDonough Senior Living Complex on Feb. 5.
“Neither I, (McDonough City Manager Preston Dorsey) or these Henry County chiefs of police will tolerate this person violating the sanctity and privacy of any resident in the city of McDonough or Henry County as a whole,” said Scandrett, adding that the attack “sickened” him.
McDonough police released surveillance video of the suspect going door to door at the complex off Bridges Road around the time the woman was sexually assaulted. The man was shown walking around the community checking to see if any doors were unlocked.
One door was, police said.
“The suspect did make entry into an apartment which was unlocked at which time he sexually assaulted the elderly female resident,” investigators said. Police have not identified the victim, but family members said she is a 75-year-old woman, Channel 2 Action News reported.
“We are hoping for any help we can get so that she can have some peace of mind,” the woman’s great-niece told the news station.
Following the assault, “the suspect casually walked out of the apartment,” police said.
“There is no crime that we will tolerate here in Henry County, but particularly this type of sick crime of sexually assaulting senior citizens,” Scandrett said at the news conference. The sheriff was flanked by more than a dozen city and county law enforcement officials, including basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, who serves as director of community relations for the Henry County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators said they are examining forensic evidence in the case. They also said the man may be linked to an attack in a “nearby” county, but haven’t released any details about that investigation.
In addition, McDonough police said the surveillance footage of the suspect was sent to the Department of Homeland Security so the video could be enhanced.
The reward in the case was increased after McDonough’s city manager and his wife contributed some of their own money to help catch the suspect. Dorsey had been McDonough’s police chief since 1999 before being named city administrator last April.
Anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information about last month’s attack is asked to contact McDonough police or call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477.
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