Man allegedly hit 63-year-old Gwinnett woman with hammer during burglary – WSB-TV Channel 2

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — A man accused of beating a woman with a hammer during a brutal burglary is free on bail while the victim recovers.

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Adrian Hayes, 22, was released on bail last week after being arrested for allegedly hitting a 63-year-old woman on the head several times with a hammer at a retirement home.

“She asked what he was doing in her apartment,” said Lt. Joshua Morris of the Lawrenceville Police Department, “and he immediately began attacking her with a hammer.”

It happened last month in the Hearthside community on Grayson Highway.

The victim came home on a Sunday afternoon and found a stranger in her bedroom, according to police. Police say the victim's door may not have been properly locked before she left the house.

“The suspect entered her apartment while she was shopping,” Morris said.

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According to Lawrenceville police, Hayes hit the victim in the head several times with a hammer on August 25.

“She had to be taken to the hospital for examination,” Morris said.

Officials said Hayes fled the scene, but neighbors were able to help identify him.

According to police, he went door to door and asked people questions.

“A person matching the suspect's description had knocked on their door and asked if they had internet,” Morris said.

Within two days, investigators identified Hayes as their suspect and said he had a connection to the community.

“The description was similar to that of a grandson of another resident in the building,” Morris said.

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According to court records, a judge granted Hayes bail last week and he has been released from jail while he awaits court dates. He was ordered to stay away from the victim in the case.

Police expressed relief that no one else was injured before the arrest.

“Who knows how many other apartments he would have tried to break into,” asked Morris.

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