Two women assaulted in Granite Shoals

GRANITE SHOALS, Texas (KXAN) - The bruises on Toni Cherry's face, collarbone and head have healed from when an unknown man attacked her Jan. 23 as she headed in to work at the Rocky Top Restaurant and gas station off RR 1431 in Granite Shoals .

The 29-year-old pulled up at work, got out of her car and walked to open up the shop when she was attacked.

"As I turned around, he was already right behind me," recalled Cherry.  "He slammed me against my car and he tried to rape me."

It was still dark out at the time and Cherry was the only employee at the restaurant. 

"He kept speaking to me in Spanish but I didn't understand him, and I kept telling him people were going to be here soon, that I was supposed to open the store."

Cherry said the attack lasted five minutes and the man, who she had never seen before, groped her.

After Cherry told him more employees were on their way, the man ran away toward a trailer park about 100 yards behind the store.  She ran inside and called 911.

An ambulance came and took Cherry to the hospital where she underwent MRIs and examinations.

"I had severe bruising on the back of my head from him slamming my head into the car, severe bruising on my collarbone and then I had a black eye," she said.

Cherry describes her attacker as:

• a Hispanic male
• mid 30s - early 40s
• 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall
• weighing about 300 pounds
• with  short hair and clean-shaven
• wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt
• wearing jeans

Police searched the area for an hour looking for the suspect but did not find him.

Cherry has since quit her job at the gas station and is still healing emotionally.

"He took something from me. I can't sleep. I have a really hard time sleeping at night. I am a single mother; it is hard for me to go to the store by myself," Cherry added.

SECOND ATTACK

Around 2 p.m. and just two miles away at a home on Hill Wood Drive, police said another woman was assaulted.

The woman told officers she was remodeling a home on the block and turned around to find a man standing behind her.

According to police, the man asked the women if anyone lived there and when she replied, 'No,' the suspect responded, 'You'll do.'

Police said the man grabbed the woman and tried to drag her away, but she fought back and he fled.

The woman told police her attacker was a white male and he took off in a blue or black pickup truck.

Police did not find this suspect and are increasing patrols in both areas.

Anyone with information in either case is urged to get in touch with police at 830-598-4818 or call Hill Country Crime Stoppers at 1-866-756-TIPS.

Tips can also be given online at www.hcacrimestoppers.com.