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Detectives look for missing purse in White Center sexual assault

WHITE CENTER, Wash. — Detectives are looking for a man and a purse that was taken from a woman who was attacked and sexually assaulted near White Center earlier this month.

On March 7 after midnight, a woman was walking on Roxbury Street near 24th Avenue when a man asked her for a cigarette.

According to the King County Sheriff’s Office, when the woman gave the man a cigarette, the man dragged her to a nearby lot. The man punched her repeatedly and then assaulted her.

Authorities said the man fled the scene and took the victim’s purse.

Police did not find the purse and may have been discarded nearby or possibly given to an associate of the man.

Police describe the man as black, in his early 20s, about 5 feet 9 inches tall and medium build. He was wearing a dark-colored hoodie and jeans.  He may have injuries to his hand from the attack.

Anyone with information about the incident or missing purse is asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at 206-296-3311.