LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Valley Station community is on alert as police look for the man who broke into a home and assaulted an elderly woman late Friday night.

Neighbors told WDRB a man broke into her home through a patio door, which is now boarded up. Louisville Metro Police said he assaulted her and stole valuable items like a wallet, phone and cash.

The community on Ridge Lake Drive is home to many retired couples.

"It's a quiet little neighborhood in Louisville," DJ Foley, who lives nearby, said.

DJ Foley moved in a few years ago. He never thought he'd wake up to officers surrounding his home.

"I got on my phone and my neighbor across the road was just texting me and calling me asking me if I'm okay, and there's police everywhere," Foley said. "So I check on my doorbell camera, and I see there's a cop at my door so I came out and he told me there was an invasion and there was cops everywhere, literally everywhere."

The home invasion happened in the 11000 block of Ridge Lake Drive at about 11:50 p.m. Friday night. The suspect was seen carrying a hatchet and a 3-foot long crowbar.

"I felt terrible, especially after we figured out who it was," Foley said. "It was my neighbor. Across the way she's the nicest lady anyone could ever ask for. So I felt absolutely terrible that had happened to her."

Police said a man broke into the home and assaulted an 82-year-old woman.

"What happened to her was very brutal and very crazy to a random 82-year-old," Foley said. "So, I mean, definitely everyone's on alert but I don't think anyone's going to just take it down. You know, take it easy."

GRAPHIC WARNING: The picture below show the injuries the 82-year-old woman sustained.

Valley Station home invasion victim 2.jpg

The injuries an 82-year-old woman sustained in a Valley Station home invasion on Jan. 5, 2024.

"I'm really sorry for what happened to you and I do hope your speedy recovery. And don't worry, you got people who will look out for you soon. I don't want you to be scared when you come back," Don Duff, who's a local resident, said.

Duff hopes the community sticks together and continues helping police look for her attacker.

"Since he didn't get caught, he might think 'I can come back here again,'" Duff said. "So in the back of your mind. Anyone that does know something, please, what little bit it might be, come forward and let them know."

Police are describing the subject as a man with a black jacket, a possible white or light gray hoodie and black pants.

"Definitely a lot of us are kind of more on alert on an edge," Foley said. "I know two neighbors have ordered alarm systems."

Police said before the invasion the suspect was checking door handles to homes and garages.

"This is not something that anyone would have imagined to anyone back here but especially for someone as sweet as a lady as she is," Foley said.

LMPD is asking for people in this area to be on the lookout because the suspect could be a local resident.

Anyone with information can call the anonymous tip line at 502-574-LMPD or use the online Crime Tip portal.

More Crime Stories:

Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.