Man with hammer attacks disabled woman

JASPER COUNTY - by Steve Stewart/KJAS - The Kirbyville Police Department is looking for the suspect in a severe assault of a disabled woman early Wednesday morning. Chief Jeff Clopp said the incident occurred at about 1:20 at the Pecan Grove Apartments in the 500 block of West Levert Street.

According to Chief Clopp, his officers responded to the complex when it was reported that a woman was outside screaming. Clopp said officers arrived in less than 60 seconds and found 47-year-old Liza Lacaze on the ground suffering from a wound to the head. She was taken by ambulance to Christus Jasper Memorial Hospital where she was treated and later released.

Lacaze told officers that a black male, wearing a ski mask, gloves, and all black military style clothing, was walking through the complex breaking out apartment windows with a hammer. Lacaze said she confronted the man, and he hit her over the head with the hammer, and then fled.

Kirbyville Police, along with Jasper County deputies, and Jasper Officer Sam Brister and his K-9, Duco, began a search of the area.

Clopp said the dog picked up a scent trail and followed it about a mile through a wooded area, and it suddenly ended on the parking lot at Weaver Brothers Motor Company.

Clopp is asking for anyone that has any information on this crime to contact the Kirbyville Police Department, or Crime Stoppers at 724-TIPS.