COVINGTON - Sheriff's deputies are searching for a man who allegedly robbed and beat an elderly Covington woman early Friday. The woman had been working to help the suspect through a church group, even letting him stay at her home, the St. Tammany sheriff's office said.
The victim, 66, called 911 at approximately 3:30 a.m. Friday to report being attacked and beaten by Eric Bolton, 38, insider her home on Willow Drive in the Covington area.
The victim knew Bolton through a church group, deputies said, and she and her daughter had been trying to help him get back on his feet, after a series of run-ins with the law.
She had given Bolton a ride from Covington to Hammond late Thursday. As they returned to her home, the woman said Bolton attacked her, punching her with his fists. He allegedly tied her up in her bedroom, stole money from her purse, then fled in her car, leaving her bound inside the home.
Deputies said Bolton left in the victim's vehicle, a beige-colored 2005 Toyota Corolla with Louisiana plate ORF 723.
Bolton, a resident of Mansura, La., is known to have connections to both Avoyelles and Lafayette parishes, deputies said. He has an extensive and violent criminal history, including armed robbery and kidnapping.
Detectives have arrests warrants for Bolton for second degree robbery, second degree battery, false imprisonment and auto theft.
