Detectives from Strike Force Viper are calling for public assistance following a serious incident in which a woman was physically assaulted in Alice Springs last night.
At 7:20pm a 48-year-old woman was walking along the South Stuart Highway near Old Timers Camp when she realised she was being followed by a man.
The man, who is unknown to the woman, followed her for some distance before assaulting the woman and forcibly removing her backpack.
The woman fought back and regained her backpack and was punched in the process.
The woman broke free and ran south towards St Mary's where she called her husband before the offender caught up and threw a number of rocks at her.
The husband arrived on scene and confronted the offender before taking his wife to hospital where she was treated for injuries sustained during the incident.
Members of Strike Force Viper have carriage of the investigation and continue make inquiries around a person of interest.
Acting Sergeant Shane King from Strike Force Viper said police are seeking anyone who witnessed the incident to contact police.
"The victim is woman of African appearance and at the time she was wearing a light grey singlet and dark grey leggings. The offender is described as being an adult Indigenous male who was wearing a black jumper," said A/Sgt King
"We are seeking motorists with dash cam or witnesses who saw the assault in the area of the South Stuart Highway near the Old Timers Camp and St Mary's Village between 7:20pm and 8pm, to contact police on 131 444.
"The assault occurred by the side of a busy highway, so we are confident other members of the public would have witnessed this horrific and terrifying incident."
Anyone with information which may assist with investigations is urged to contact police on 131 444 or report it anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 referencing PROMIS number 9601489.
