REDDICK, FL (352today.com) – The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is searching for a man who they say beat and sexually battered a 91-year-old woman.
MCSO says the attack occurred on Sunday morning at a home in Reddick. They say the woman woke up to find a man sneaking through her home.
On Monday evening, the agency posted on Facebook a nearly two-and-a-half-minute video from Sheriff Billy Woods making a strong appeal to the public for information that leads to an arrest in this case.
“I need us to come together to keep our community safe and bring this individual to justice,” implored Woods. “To the person responsible, I will find out who you are. Now I’d tell you to turn yourself in, but I know you ain’t going to do it, but I will find you.”
Woods also warned that if anyone knows anything about the case and doesn’t report it, he’ll hold them accountable as well.
“Let me make something abundantly clear to you, if I find out you have harbored, hidden, or not even wanted to call us, I’ll do everything to charge you and put you in the same cell as they are going to be in,” stated Woods.
The sheriff asked people in the area to check their security camera videos for anything suspicious or unusual that may provide investigators a clue.
If you know anything, you’re asked to call, 352-732-9111.
The sheriff also took to opportunity to urge the community to work together to “protect our most vulnerable citizens.” He suggested helping install security cameras in homes of the elderly and reminding them to lock their doors.
“And, for the love of God, please check on them on a regular basis,” pleaded Woods in the video.