Early morning walker kidnapped and assaulted

EL DORADO — An El Dorado woman was hospitalized with serious injuries following a brutal attack that occurred Saturday as she went for an early morning walk, police said.

Officers responded at 5:30 a.m. to a report of a woman who was found unresponsive behind an abandoned commercial building in the area of Main and Madison.

She was transported by ambulance to the Medical Center of South Arkansas and later transferred to the Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock for further treatment.

Prior to being transported to the Medical Center of South Arkansas, the woman told police that she had parked her vehicle at the South Arkansas Arts Center, 110 W. Fifth Street, at 4:45 a.m. to start her walk.

As she was walking in the area of College Avenue and Eighth Street, a man forced her into a vehicle and struck her numerous times.

Police Chief Billy White said the investigation is ongoing, adding there are details detectives are not yet ready to release publicly.

White said the suspect was on foot when he approached the woman from behind and forced her into his vehicle, which was nearby.

The woman described the suspect as a white male, approximately 30 35 years old, driving a small vehicle.

Police advise anyone who walks during the early morning hours to use precaution and report any suspicious activity.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to call 870863-4141 or 870-881-4810.