WESTOVER, W.Va. — Investigators in Westover are trying to match eyewitness accounts to video surveillance footage obtained following the assault of a postal worker this week.
A 70-year-old clerk was held down and choked Tuesday afternoon. The suspect entered the Post Office jumped over the counter and dragged the worker out of sight. He choked her, held her down and tried to stuff a rag or gloves in her mouth to keep her from screaming.
Westover Police Chief Rick Panico was the first to arrive on scene Tuesday afternoon and said he found the woman in a state of shock.
“She was rattling off, kind of talking to herself and talking to me and trying to explain what was going on. At the same time I noticed she had some injuries,” Panico said.
The suspect was able to grab a blank money order for $675 before fleeing on foot.
Panico said police are now sifting through witness statements and video footage to determine and exact timeline of events and gather an accurate description of the suspect.
The Postal Inspector is offering a $50,000 reward.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Westover Police at (304) 296-6576.