Cops: Man hit woman with hammer, tried to rape her - Live5News.com | Charleston, SC | News, Weather, Sports

CHESTER, S.C. (AP) - Deputies say a 20-year-old Chester man attacked a 61-year-old woman with a hammer before trying to rape her.

Chester County Sheriff Richard Smith says the woman's son went to check on his mother Thursday morning and found Samuel Markus Dye on top of her, hitting her in the head with a hammer.

Authorities say the son pulled Dye off and held him until deputies arrived.

The woman told police Dye showed up at her home with the hammer and started complaining that he didn't have a girlfriend. The woman asked Dye to stop and said they should pray, but she said he attacked her anyway.

Dye is charged with attempted murder and attempted criminal sexual conduct. It wasn't known if he had an attorney.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.