Suspect allegedly assaults woman in parking lot of Caroline County Food Lion

CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The Caroline County Sheriff's Office is searching for a woman who allegedly assaulted another woman in the parking lot of a Food Lion in the Ladysmith area on Saturday.

In the afternoon of Saturday, Aug. 23, Caroline County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the parking lot of the Food Lion in the county's Ladysmith area for the report of an assault.

Officials said a woman reported that she was nearly hit by a speeding vehicle in the lot. When the victim yelled for the driver to slow down, the sheriff's office said the driver appeared to circle the lot, driving back to where the victim was standing.

The sheriff's office said the woman driving the vehicle then got out, and physically assaulted the victim in front of multiple witnesses.

Officials describe the suspect as being a Black woman with pink curly hair, tattoos on both thighs and a tattoo on her left inner forearm. The sheriff's office shared the following image in an attempt to assist the public in identifying the suspect.

She was reportedly last seen wearing a black tank top and jean shorts. Authorities said she was driving a gold Toyota SUV and fled the scene toward Route 1 following the assault.

The sheriff's office continues to investigate the assault. Anyone with information about the suspect's identity or who witnessed the assault is asked to call Deputy S. Batchelor at 804-633-5400.

"The Caroline County Sheriff's Office reminds all drivers to remain calm, avoid confrontation and call law enforcement if they encounter aggressive driving or threats," officials said.