Assault suspect sought

Published 11:17 am Wednesday, July 14, 2010

MURFREESBORO – Eric A. Peele, 29, of here remains a wanted man on charges of assault with intent to kill a female acquaintance.

Murfreesboro Police Chief Darrell Rowe said warrants have been drawn for Peele’s arrest after it was alleged he had assaulted a woman, including strangulation, in the early morning hours of July 6.

The Murfreesboro Police Department was advised of the situation upon receiving a call from Roanoke-Chowan Hospital in reference to an assault on a female at a residence on South Drive in Murfreesboro.

Chief Rowe said MPD Sgt. Jamie Dilday was dispatched to the hospital to speak with the victim. From that interview, Dilday learned that the woman had been grabbed by the hair and pushed to the floor and then pushed onto a bed where the suspect allegedly struck her in the face, injuring her nose and left eye.

“Apparently, the female victim attempted to flee her attacker, but he grabbed her by the collar of her dress, causing her to be choked,” Rowe reported. “She then attempted to enter the kitchen area of the home at which time the suspect slammed her head into a cabinet door.”

Later in the struggle, the victim went back into a bedroom where Peele allegedly launched another attack, punching her, and this reportedly continued in other rooms of the home.

“The victim told Sgt. Dilday that, at one point, the suspect grabbed a plastic bag, placing it over her face for 10 to 15 seconds which caused her to lose her breath,” Rowe stated.

Armed with this information and the name of the suspect, Sgt. Dilday drew warrants against Peele. He stands charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, assault by strangulation and assault on a female by a male over the age of 18.

“We have not been able to locate Mr. Peele,” Rowe said. “We are requesting the public’s assistance in helping us to find him. We also make an appeal to the suspect to turn himself in. These warrants will not go away.”

Those with information on Peele’s whereabouts can contact the Murfreesboro Police Department at 398-4151.

Rowe thanked Sgt. Dilday for his quick and professional work in this case.