The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office is asking residents who live in the Castleberry Road area off Highway 42 East to be alert following an incident on Tuesday.
A woman had left her Castleberry Road home and went to work. Later she realized she left something at home and returned around 10:30am.
Detective M.J. Carson said the woman got out of her and noticed her dogs were barking in the back yard. As she went to investigate, she rounded the corner of her home and was confronted by a unknown man. The suspect pushed the woman to the ground then fled. The victim then ran into her home, locked the door, and waited for deputies to arrive, Detective Carson said.
The suspect was described as a Hispanic male, 5 foot 8, with a thin build. He was wearing a black ball cap, faded red t-shirt, blue jeans and work boots.
Deputies conducted an extensive search for the suspect on Monday but he was not located.
Investigators have not determined why the suspect was in the victim’s back yard, but have not ruled out the woman could have interrupted a possible burglary.
The woman received minor injuries.
Anyone who has any information about the incident is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 919-989-5000. Authorities also ask anyone to report any suspicious activity in their neighborhood.