The Delaware State Police are investigating the attack of a 36-year-old Clayton woman that occurred early Thursday morning at about 4:20 a.m., near Cheswold on North DuPont Highway (Route 13) just north of Hatchery Road.
The victim had just left her place of employment and was walking on the northbound shoulder of the highway heading towards home when a car pulled up behind her.
The occupants (a driver and passenger) of the vehicle were yelling things to her from the car as she continued walking ignoring them. The suspects became more belligerent and continued to follow her on the shoulder. At one point the suspect in the passenger side of the car exited and grabbed the victim's hair from behind and swung her to the ground. A struggle ensued as the victim was attempting to fight off the attacker. The suspect then placed some type of unknown object around her neck and began to choke her. The victim was then dragged by her neck and hair towards the vehicle.
As this was occurring a passing vehicle startled the suspect, and he let go of the victim and got back into his car. The suspect drove away, heading north on Route 13 toward Cheswold. The vehicle that startled the suspect did not stop and police said that driver may not have known what had occurred.
The victim suffered several cuts, bruises and abrasions and was taken by ambulance to Kent General Hospital in Dover where she was treated and released.
The suspect in the case was described as white male, 5'8''-6'1'' in height, wearing blue jeans, dark colored jacket or sweatshirt, possibly in his 30's. The driver of the vehicle was a white male. No further description of the suspects was given. The vehicle was described as a four-door midsized passenger car, older model, brake light in back window situated on the bottom middle of window, silver/gray in color.
Anyone with information on this crime or who may have been driving in the area at the time of the occurrence is asked to contact investigators at (302) 697-2104 extension 307 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333. Tips may also be forwarded to law enforcement through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-333 3 or on line at www.tipsubmit.com.
The victim’s place of employment is not being released to protect her welfare, police said.
