Man hit woman riding bicycle then tried to kidnap her, SC sheriff says
A South Carolina man was arrested after a woman was recently attacked during an attempted kidnapping, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
Timothy Ulness, 24, was charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and kidnapping, the sheriff’s department said Thursday in a news release.
The charges are connected to an early morning incident Aug. 2, according to the release.
At about 6:30 a.m. last Saturday, a woman was riding a bicycle on Miles Road when she was hit by a vehicle, the sheriff’s department said. That’s in a part of Columbia between Interstate 20 and U.S. 1.
The driver — later identified as Ulness — got out of the vehicle, but did not offer aid to the victim, who suffered major lacerations and abrasions to her body and face, according to an incident report. Instead, he began to assault the woman by hitting her in the face and putting her in a chokehold, the sheriff’s department said.
He then attempted to drag her to his vehicle, according to the release.
The woman fought back and was able to break free, and Ulness left in his vehicle once the victim escaped, the sheriff’s department said. Before he drove away, Ulness tried to run over the victim again, according to the incident report.
The woman called 911 and provided a vehicle description to deputies, the sheriff’s department said. She suffered lacerations, abrasions and a broken finger and was taken to a local hospital for treatment, according to the release. Further information on her condition was not available.
Deputies identified the vehicle involved in the incident from the victim’s description and later identified Ulness as the man wanted for kidnapping and assault, the sheriff’s department said.
Ulness was arrested Tuesday, and was released from the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center Wednesday, according to the release. Ulness’ bond was set at $50,000 and he was ordered to wear an ankle monitor, the sheriff’s department said.
Information about a motive for the attack was not available, and there was no word if Ulness knew the victim before the incident.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREThis is a breaking news story
In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.
This story was originally published August 7, 2025 at 12:36 PM with the headline "Man hit woman riding bicycle then tried to kidnap her, SC sheriff says."
