Columbia Police Department (CPD) investigators with the Special Victims Unit (SVU) have identified a male suspect accused of attempting to sexually assault an elderly female.
The man, 48-year-old Joe Nathan Fripp (August 1970) is accused of repeatedly punching the 62-year-old victim in the face and body while at 1003 Elmwood Avenue shortly after 1:00 a.m. on November 3, 2018.
Fripp should be considered armed and dangerous.
Once arrested, Fripp will be charged with Attempted C
riminal Sexual Conduct- First Degree, Assault and Battery – First Degree, Kidnapping, and Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime.
The warrants have been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database.
Initially, a security officer who was walking in the area told officers that he heard a female in distress. When he investigated, he found the partially dressed victim and the suspect choking her.
When the security officer tried to intervene, the suspect ran away. EMS was then called to render aid to the victim who subsequently received extensive injuries to include a broken nose, swollen eyes and facial lacerations requiring stitches.
The victim has since been treated and released from a local hospital.
During the incident, Fripp is also accused of threatening the victim with a knife if she didn’t comply with his demands. Fripp allegedly wouldn’t allow her to leave the immediate area.
Since the incident, the victim continues to medical treatment because of her injuries.
Citizens with information about the crime or Fripp’s whereabouts are encouraged to contact Crimestoppers in any of the following ways:
CALL toll-free, 888-CRIME-SC (274-6372).
TEXT to CRIMES (274637), and mark the beginning of the message with “TIPSC,” followed by the tip information.
LOG onto: www.midlandscrimestoppers.com, and click on the red “Submit a tip” tab.