Elderly woman, neighbor assaulted
SEATTLE - An 80-year-old woman was beaten in the doorway of her South Seattle home Friday morning by an intruder.
It happened at around 10 a.m. in the 7200 block of South Ryan Street.
Police say the suspect knocked on the door. When the woman answered, he pounced and began punching her.
A neighbor who was in her garden heard the victim screaming. She found the suspect on top of the woman.
"My wife had to intercede," said Al Ausman, the neighbor's husband.
Police say the suspect punched Ausman's wife in the face. Ausman wrestled with the suspect, likely 50 years his junior. The suspect got away, but not before Al could rip his coat off – a smart move that gives police valuable DNA evidence.
"We did what any citizen would do to protect friends and if you could leave it at that, gentlemen, I'd appreciate it," said Ausman.
Sexual assault investigators responded to the scene but police are not confirming a sexual assault took place.
The victim's husband died of cancer about five years ago. Since then, neighbors have been careful to check in on her every day. Police say it's a good thing they did.
"We're very lucky that the neighbor decided to intervene or the situation might have been much worse," said Seattle Police Department spokesman Mark Jamieson.
Neighbors say they'll be keeping an especially close eye on her from now on.
"I do worry about her because I know she'll be terrified to be here alone," said Viola Oberholtzer.
The 80-year-old's injuries are not considered life-threatening.
A police dog tracked the attacker for a few blocks, but then lost the scent. He is described as black, 18-years-old, 5-feet, 10-inches tall. He was wearing dark clothing, a Yankees baseball cap with dark hair sticking out the back and was carrying a backpack.
Anyone who saw anything suspicious in that neighborhood is asked to call Seattle police.
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