Roanoke-CityRoanoke City Police are looking for a suspect after an older woman was punched in the face and robbed in her home. Officials say the man came to the 65-year-old’s front door yesterday after 2:30 pm in the 3000 block of Oaklawn Avenue claiming he needed help. He then forced his way inside and stole her purse. The suspect is described as a 35-40 year old black man around 5’8 and 200 lbs. Call police if you have any information. The number for the RPD tipline is 540-344-8500

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Details:  A neighbor called 911 to report an assault at a residence at the above address.  When officers arrived, the victim, a 65-year-old woman, was conscious and alert.  The victim told officers that the suspect came to her door claiming he needed assistance.  After she opened the door to speak with him, the suspect forced his way into her home and punched her in the face.  Officers interviewed a neighbor who said he observed the suspect walking in the neighborhood earlier in the day.  The neighbor said that once he saw the suspect assaulting the victim he ran over to her residence to help.  The neighbor did not physically encounter the suspect.  The suspect took the victim’s purse and ran to the back of the home where he fled the scene through a rear bedroom window.  The victim was transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment of her injuries.  The suspect was described as a 35 to 40 year old black male, approximately 5’8″ and weighing around 200 lbs.  If you have any information that might help officers please call the RPD tip-line at 540-344-8500.  Tips can be left anonymously.

It’s important to call 911 anytime you see anyone or anything suspicious in
your neighborhood and never answer the door to someone you don’t know.

The investigation is on-going.  Some physical evidence has been recovered
and in the process of being analyzed.