Man arrested in attack near Driskill

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A woman leaving work says she was attacked downtown Tuesday night and police say they have arrested a suspect.

Officers with the Austin Police Department responded to the call of a woman who said she was hit by a man, later identified by police as Rodney Cook, 58.

The victim said she was hurrying to meet her ride after work and looking down at her cell phone, calling to let her ride know she was on the way.

The woman says she felt a hard blow to her neck and head, saying it was so hard she fell to her knees on the ground.

According to the arrest affidavit, the woman said Cook ran off with her purse down the alley.

A security guard at the Driskill Hotel apprehended Cook who tried to fight him off. Security held Cook until police arrived.

Cook is charged with robbery by assault and is being held in the Travis County Jail under a $60,000 bond.