Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – Police arrested a suspect late Saturday in the stabbing of a woman in Heritage Park on Wednesday.



“We are relieved that he is in custody and appreciate all the hard work by the many agencies involved as well as the media and citizens of our local communities.  Arrested in connection with the incident,” Foley Police Chief Thurston Bullock said in a statement. 

Foley police said earlier that Abney will be charged with one felony count of second-degree assault – assault with a deadly weapon – and one felony count of first-degree attempted rape.

The woman was attacked on the Wilbourne Antique Rose Trail on Wednesday evening. Police received a 911 call at 5:40 p.m. The caller reported that a woman had run into a business and said that she had been stabbed.

Police arrived at the scene and found that the woman had been stabbed in the arm, torso and thigh. She was taken to University Hospital for treatment of injuries that were described as non-life threatening.

The woman has been released and is recovering at home.

Police said the victim’s strength and tenacity coupled with fighting back likely ended the attack and possibly saved her life. 

The suspect was believed to be homeless and staying he knew and in homeless encampments.  He also frequents venues that assist the homeless. 

Bullock said this case created a sense of fear within Foley citizens, and the investigation has been an "all hands on deck" case.  Through the great team work of employees, diligent effort in the investigation by detectives, and the assistance and tips generated by the public, police have been able to identify a suspect and establish probable cause for arrest warrants in the case.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Foley Police Department at 251-943-4431.

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Original Article: The Foley Police Department has made significant progress in the investigation of a recent attack on a 21-year-old woman on the Wilburne Antique Rose Trail. Through concerted efforts involving detectives and public assistance, they have successfully identified the suspect as Bernard Christompher Abney, a 40-year-old man from Mobile. Abney is charged with one felony count of Assault 2nd Degree and one felony count of Attempted Rape 1st Degree. 

At this time, Abney remains at large. He is known to frequent homeless shelters and encampments and is considered dangerous due to his history of violence and weapon use. The Foley Police Department is actively seeking information from the public to locate Abney, emphasizing the importance of community collaboration in ensuring public safety and bringing the suspect to justice.

From the Foley Police Dept: 

It has been a long 48 hours since a twenty-one year old female victim was attacked by a stranger, random and unprovoked, while walking on the Wilburne Antique Rose Trail in Foley on Wednesday evening.  The attack hospitalized the young lady, but now she is back home and recovering well.  Her strength and tenacity coupled with fighting back likely ended the attack and possibly saved her life. 

This case has created a sense of fear within our citizens, and our investigation has been an "all hands on deck" case.  Through the great team work of our employees, diligent effort in the investigation by our detectives, and the assistance and tips generated by the public, we have been able to identify a suspect and establish probable cause for arrest warrants in the case. 

Bernard Christompher Abney of Mobile was identified and will be arrested and charged with one felony count of Assault 2nd Degree (with a deadly weapon) and one felony count of Attempted Rape 1st Degree.  Our efforts tonight in trying to locate Abney were unsuccessful, so we are appealing to the public to help locate him.  He is believed to be homeless and stays between people he may know and homeless encampments.  He also frequents venues that assist the homeless.  It is possible that he may be back in the Mobile area after seeing his picture released after the incident. 

Abney is considered dangerous and has a history of weapons and violence, so he should not be approached by the public.  We are asking for leads and information that may direct us to his whereabouts.  He is 40 years old, 5'6" tall, and 210 lbs.  He is dangerous, and we are asking for anyone with information to please call and help us get him off the streets.