Columbia police search for man they say sexually assaulted woman and stole her car

Columbia police are looking for a man accused of breaking into a woman’s home and sexually assaulting her.

Police say John Forrest Washington Jr, 28, forced his way into a 21-year-old woman’s home on Pelham Drive on Friday, where he made “threats while armed with a sharp object,” according to a press release. He then assaulted the woman before stealing her black 2015 Nissan Altima.

The woman suffered a cut to her hand during the attack, which police say was not life threatening after she was treated at a local hospital.

Washington is wanted on charges of first degree burglary, kidnapping, first degree assault and battery, first degree criminal sexual conduct and grand larceny of a motor vehicle. Police say he should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact Midlands Crimestoppers at 888-CRIME-SC (274-6372) or at MidlandsCrimestoppers.com.

This story was originally published October 4, 2021 at 7:57 AM.

Bristow Marchant

The State

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Bristow Marchant covers local government, schools and community in Lexington County for The State. He graduated from the College of Charleston in 2007. He has almost 20 years of experience covering South Carolina at the Clinton Chronicle, Sumter Item and Rock Hill Herald. He joined The State in 2016. Bristow has won numerous awards, most recently the S.C. Press Association’s 2024 education reporting award.  Support my work with a digital subscription