[September 02, 2011] BRIEF: Columbia police seek ID of man in video near time of mall attack Tweet Sep 02, 2011 (The State - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Columbia police investigators hope someone can identify a person seen in a surveillance video whom they describe as a "person of interest" in their investigation of a sexual attack at Columbiana Mall in mid August. The man is seen walking in surveillance video in the same direction as the victim prior to the assault at about 10:30 a.m. Aug. 17 outside a public restroom at the mall, the police department said. The woman told police she fought off a man who tried to grope her under her skirt using her high heels and hands as weapons. She said she screamed and attacked until the man ran out of the mall. The man had grabbed her around her face and neck from behind as she left the restroom. The woman was not seriously injured. The man is thought to be between 25 and 30 years old, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing about 250 pounds. He was wearing a dirty or stained white T-shirt and dark pants, and might have a beard. Anyone with information about the assault or who can help police find the man seen in the images and video can leave a tip at Crime Stoppers by calling (888) CRIME-SC (274-6372). Surveillance video from Columbiana Mall ___ (c)2011 The State (Columbia, S.C.) Visit The State (Columbia, S.C.) at www.thestate.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]