Police seek public's help with assault case

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Columbus Local News: Region > News > Police seek public's help with assault case

An elderly man is on life support after being mugged while walking to get his daily newspaper.

The incident occurred at 5:10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 22 near the intersection of South Sunbury Road and Whitney Lane in Central College. First reports said Paul W. Earhart, an 83-year-old deaf man who lives at Columbus Colony, was struck by a car as he was lying in the roadway.

Witness later said he was assaulted and robbed of his possessions.

"There doesn't appear to be any weapon," said police Sgt. Steve Fridley during a press conference held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26 at Westerville Police Headquarters. "He was struck from behind and fell to the ground."


Injuries Fridley said Earhart received were internal bleeding in his head as well as contusions and scratches on his body. Earhart was taken to Riverside Methodist Hospital where he was able to answer a few basic questions with the aid of an interpreter before being put on life support. Fridley said as of MOnday, Oct. 25 Earhart was still in critical condition.

Walking to the Duke & Duchess, 900 S. Sunbury Road, was a morning routine for Earhart, and it does not appear he was targeted. Fridley said residents of Columbus Colony, a facility that specializing in senior housing for the deaf, should not fear for their safety.

"This appears to be a crime of opportunity," Fridley said referring to the quiet neighborhood, located just south of Central College Presbyterian Church, and the time of day.

The suspect that assaulted Earhart is being described as a white man, under 6-feet tall, thin build, with medium-length light brown or blonde hair. He was wearing a dark jacket, dark pants, and a black, flat-bill baseball hat with white lettering on one side.

When witnesses approached the scene to help Earhart, the suspect fled the scene in a yellow, two-door Chevrolet Cavalier or Pontiac Sunfire.

"It's a distinct vehicle," Fridley said.

Police said someone else was driving the vehicle but there was no accurate description of the driver who did not leave the vehicle.

Charges police are currently pursuing are felonious assault and aggravated robbery, but Fridley said they could change depending on Earhart's condition.

"Any crime is unacceptable in our community and this is a particularly heinous," said Detective Gerald Milner, a coordinator for Central Ohio Crime Stoppers, which is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect.

"We've had so many tips over the weekend we're trying to catch up," Milner said.

Anyone that witnessed the robbery or has information on the suspects is ask to call the Westerville police tip line at 614-901-6866 or the Central Ohio Crime Stoppers Unit at 614-461-8477. Both numbers are anonymous.
 
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