Deputies: Suspect assaults 2 women who stopped to change tire

Two women stopped to change a flat tire early Wednesday morning and were assaulted by a man who stole their purses, Richland County Sheriff’s deputies say.

The women were traveling on Rosewood Drive around 1:30 a.m. when they stopped to change a flat tire near Beecliff Drive, near Midlands Technical College.

A male suspect approached and grabbed one of the women by the arm, pulling her out of the vehicle, according to the sheriff’s department. The man attempted to steal the woman’s purse, and when she resisted, he began to assault her in the upper body, deputies said.

The second woman got out of the car to assist her friend, and the man assaulted her, too, according to deputies.

The suspect stole both women’s purses and left the scene, deputies said.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

This story was originally published May 25, 2016 at 10:10 AM.