A South Jersey business owner suffered significant injuries in an assault that began at her business on Monday afternoon, police said said.
The attack happened in Absecon’s downtown business district along the White Horse Pike, which often caters to traffic leaving Atlantic City. Several restaurants, cosmetology businesses and other retailers operate in the district between White Horse Pike and New Jersey Avenue.
Police arrested Dawshawn Cooper, 37, of Pleasantville, charging him with various crimes, including kidnapping and attempted aggravated sexual assault, police said Tuesday.
Cooper was brought to Atlantic County jail. A detention hearing was scheduled for Wednesday, according to court records, which did not include attorney information for Cooper.
According to police, Cooper entered the victim’s store around 3:30 p.m. and, unprovoked, assaulted her. She fled to a nearby business to hide, but Cooper followed, trapping her inside by locking the front door, police said, where he tried to sexually assault her in what police described as a “vicious assault.”
Officers broke through the front door and apprehended Cooper, freeing the woman, who sustained significant injuries. Police on Tuesday did not provide an update on her condition.
Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.
Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
