A Hartselle woman was raped in her home last week, and police are searching for her attacker.  

Police Chief Justin Barley said there is no obvious connection between the victim and the suspect.  

The suspect is a white male, in his mid-30s, 6-foot-1, with a slender build and a clean-shaven face, according to authorities. Barley said the suspect entered the home about midnight Oct. 7, attacked the homeowner and fled the scene.  

To protect the identity of the victim, Barley said no more information can be released, but he urged all Hartselle citizens to be on the lookout for the perpetrator and to protect themselves and their homes. Meanwhile, he urged all Hartselle residents to take precautions and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.  

“I am very confident we will find a resolution to this case, but it might take a little time to get this person Identified and arrested,” Barley said. “We wanted to make sure our citizens were aware in the meantime.”  

Barley said basic security measures are vitally important. Some of those are having what he called “situational awareness” and “moving with a purpose.” 

“Whether you’re at home or out shopping, being prepared when you walk from your car to your house. Having your key out and ready and keeping your doors locked and areas well-lit are all important safety measures,” he said.  

“This is a significant event and very unusual. For an unknown suspect to randomly attack someone is not every common, especially here,” he said. “That’s a substantial thing, and we’re not trying to set people into panic, but yes, they do need to take precautions and stay aware.”