A 29-year-old Greenville man is now in custody for the armed robbery and attempted sexual assault of a woman running on the Swamp Rabbit Trail.  

The incident occurred around 2:35 p.m. on November 25 in the area of the trail near the YMCA. The victim, a 49-year-old female, was walking alone on the trail when she was approached from behind and forced to the ground by an unidentified man. The man pulled at the victim’s clothing and struck her on the head with a handgun before fleeing with the victim’s belongings.

Following the incident, officers conducted an extensive search of the area, viewed video footage from nearby homes, interviewed witnesses, and increased patrols along the trail. In the days following, a Greenville Police officer contacted a man in the immediate area matching the description provided by the victim. Detectives acted on this information and identified the man as Ronald Dean McKinney of 29-A Roosevelt Avenue, Greenville.

A search of McKinney’s home resulted in the collection of clothing and a firearm believed to have been used during the robbery.

Ronald McKinney is charged with Armed Robbery, Assault with Intent to Commit Criminal Sexual Conduct-First Degree, and Possession of a Weapon during a Violent Crime. McKinney is currently being held at the Greenville County Detention Center.