Police Search For Woman Taped Attacking And Robbing Another Woman
COLUMBIA, Md. (WJZ) -- Right now, Howard County Police are searching for a violent woman. Police say she attacked another woman at a Columbia restaurant, then stole her purse.
Adam May reports the crime and a lack of help were caught on tape.
Disturbing surveillance video was taken at 2 a.m. Sunday at the Second Chance Saloon in Columbia. A woman smacked another woman walking into the restaurant. Police say she punched her in the face repeatedly before stealing her purse and walking away.
"This is really unusual. We've never had situations like this happen inside an establishment," said Sherry Llewellyn, Howard County Police.
Howard County Police say they're still trying to track down the attacker.
"We have talked to the victim and a number of people who were witnesses. Right now, it doesn't appear they knew each other or this was provoked in any way," Llewellyn said.
What the video doesn't show is that about a dozen people walked by the victim as she was lying on the ground, in pain. Eventually, after a couple of minutes, other patrons did step in to help. A few of those bystanders were caught on tape, including a man the restaurant owner identified as a security guard hired by a private party that reserved a back room.
"I'm shocked by the actual incident and I'm even more shocked that the people here did not respond to the girl," said Declan Woods.
Woods opened the Second Chance Saloon two years ago. He hopes the incident doesn't ruin his dream of owning a family friendly eatery.
"First time something that that's happened," Woods said. "I just hope nothing like this happens again."
The victim suffered some minor injuries---scrapes and bruises. Police are offering a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest.
The suspect is 5'5" and 230 pounds with a ponytail.
