Search Underway For Suspect Accused Of Beating 64-Year-Old Woman In Del City

A search is underway for a suspect police said brutally beat a woman outside her apartment last week. 

Del City Police said the attack appeared to be unprovoked. The victim was able to get the suspect’s car tag number. Investigators have leads on the suspect’s identity but have not made an arrest.

“I was enraged because she’s like family to me,” said Cynthia Butler, victim’s friend. “We’ve been friends for 35 years.”

Butler did not witness the attack but saw the aftermath. Butler shared a photo that was taken of her friend 64-year-old Denise Burns last week. Bruises covered the victim's head and arms.

“It hurt me deeply to see her like that,” said Butler. “She’s 64-year-old, she’s had heart troubles, had a pacemaker put in not too long ago and her health isn’t that great anyway.”

Burns told Del City Police she was sitting with a neighbor in the breezeway of her apartment when she noticed a suspicious car in the parking lot. The woman told officers she went to the man sitting in the maroon Camaro and asked if he needed anything. She said the man told her he was waiting for someone.

“She went back to where she was sitting outside and shortly thereafter a male subject came up and physically assaulted her,” said Major Michael Arterbury with the Del City Police Department.

Police said the man punched the victim in the head, face and arms and then left in the car. Burns took down the tag number as DIY-369 and called police. Burns went to the hospital that night but has since been recovering at home waiting for answers.

“It was a horrible ordeal, and she deserves justice,” said Butler.  

As investigators search for the suspect, police warn citizens to never confront someone they consider suspicious or out of place.

“It’s a whole lot safer if you see something you think is suspicious, great, please call us,” said Arterbury. “We would love to come out and check on it, keep you safe.”

Contact the Del City Police Department with information that could help the investigation.