A male suspect in a Lynchburg assault is on the loose after authorities say he attacked and attempted to kidnap an elderly woman at the Dollar General in the village.

Highland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera said in a news release Monday morning that deputies responded to the store shortly after 4:30 p.m. Sunday after receiving reports of an assault and attempted abduction.

On arrival, deputies met with a 79-year-old female, who said that as she was leaving the store and getting in her vehicle, a male suspect jumped into her vehicle on the passenger side, attacked her with a taser and told her to drive away, according to the sheriff.

The woman yelled for help, and another patron also leaving the store pulled her out of the vehicle, Barrera said.

The male also exited the vehicle and ran eastbound, according to the sheriff.

After a search of the area by the HCSO and Ohio State Highway Patrol, authorities were unable to locate the suspect, according to Barrera.

The victim described the suspect as being a male in his late teens or early 20s, approximately five feet and ten inches to six feet tall, with dark hair, Barrera said.

At the time of the incident, the suspect was reportedly wearing a black hoodie.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact the Highland County Sheriff’s Office at 937-393-1421.

To leave an anonymous tip, text HCSHERIFF and your tip or message to TIP411 (847411), or visit www.highlandcoso.com.

Anonymous tips can also be sent using the free tip411 app available in the Google Play Store or iTunes App Store.

Reach David Wright at 937-402-2570, or on Twitter @DavidWrighter.