Search Underway For Assault Suspect

A 76-year old woman was raped Wednesday night after agreeing to give a man a ride, said police. Authorities say evidence from the assault links the man to a series of burglaries and home invasions in

Thursday, March 29th 2007, 6:10 am

By: News On 6

A 76-year old woman was raped Wednesday night after agreeing to give a man a ride, said police. Authorities say evidence from the assault links the man to a series of burglaries and home invasions in North Tulsa in recent weeks. The News On 6â€™s Heather Lewin reports officers are working overtime to find the man.

Tulsa Police are looking for 37-year-old Ralph Smith Junior, an ex-con who most recently served prison time in Texas. Heâ€™s accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 76-year old woman Wednesday night.

Police say Smith gained the woman's confidence after talking for awhile at the Creek Casino. They say he asked her to give him a ride, then forced her to take him to buy drugs. Detectives say he took the woman to a motel and assaulted her twice before robbing her.

"Our investigators, U.S. Marshall Service, Fugitive Warrants Task Force and Detective Division, everyone has focused their efforts to the location of this man," said Tulsa Police Officer Scott Walton.

Smith has multiple tattoos on his arms and the word "colt" on his upper back. He's accused of rape, forcible sodomy, kidnapping, robbery and more.

He may be driving the victim's car, a 2000 gold Ford Taurus.

Police are asking anyone with information to call Crimestoppers at 596-COPS.