Female Business Owner Brutally Attacked By Man In South Jersey: Police

Dashawn Cooper, 37, of Pleasantville was arrested on Monday, Feb. 19, the Absecon Police Department said in a news release. Officers responded to a 911 call from a store in the downtown business district at around 3:30 p.m.

Investigators said Cooper entered the business and attacked the store owner unprovoked. Police also said Cooper did not know the woman.

The victim escaped to another nearby business but Cooper followed her inside and locked the door. He then "launched a vicious assault" and tried to sexually assault her, police said.

Officers broke through the locked front door and arrested Cooper. The woman was treated for "significant injuries."

Cooper was charged with first-degree kidnapping, second-degree attempted aggravated sexual assault, second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree criminal restraint, and third-degree criminal mischief. He was being held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

Anyone with information about the incident should call the Absecon Police Department at (609) 641-0667. You can also call the Crime Stoppers at 1-200-658-TIPS (8477).

You can also text the phrase "TIPCOP" and an anonymous tip to 274637 (CRIMES).

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