A Covington woman who was trying to help a man get back on his feet was rewarded with a severe beating and the theft of her money and car, according to the St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office.

Both the St. Tammany and Avoyelles Sheriff’s Departments are seeking the suspect, Eric Bolton, 38, of Mansura in Avoyelles Parish. St. Tammany Sheriff’s spokesman Capt. George Bonnett said that Bolton has an extensive criminal record and is considered “extremely dangerous.”

Bonnett said dispatchers got a 911 call around 3:30 a.m. Friday from a 66-year-old woman who reported that she had been attacked in her home on Willow Drive in Covington.

BOLTON

The victim told deputies that she knew Bolton from a church group.

She said she and her daughter had been trying to help Bolton get back on his feet after a long series of criminal offenses.

As part of her help, the victim allowed Bolton to stay at her home, while she tried to find housing for him in Avoyelles Parish.

According to the woman, Bolton came to her house Thursday night and asked for a ride to Hammond.

When they both returned to the Willow Drive home, Bolton allegedly attacked the victim, beating her badly with his fists. He tied her up in her bedroom, stole an unknown sum of money from her purse, her car keys and left her in the house bound and injured.

Bolton allegedly took the victim’s car, and deputies believe he is headed back to Avoyelles Parish. The stolen car is beige 2005 Toyota Corolla with Louisiana license plate ORF723.

The victim managed to free herself and called the Sheriff’s Office.

Bonnett said Bolton has an extensive record going back to the early 1980’s that includes armed robbery and kidnapping. Bolton is considered very dangerous, and Bonnett urges anybody who spots him, to immediately call 911 and do not approach Bolton.

The St. Tammany and Avoyelles Sheriff’s Offices are working in together to find Bolton. Arrest warrants have been issued on Bolton for second-degree robbery, second-degree battery, false imprisonment and auto theft.

The Sheriff’s Office urges anybody who sees Bolton to call 911 or Detective Steve Chaisson at 898-2338. Again, Bonnett urges people not to approach Bolton.