Dalton police: Suspect assaulted elderly man, stole his pants

The Dalton police are looking for a 44-year-old man wanted for robbery, burglary, simple assault and theft.

Ronnie Joe Long was staying at a house on School Street, but he has also lived at one of the homeless camps in town, according to police spokesman Bruce Frazier.

Police say that, about 2:45 a.m. on March 18, a man started knocking on a door in Whitfield Commons at 519 Hawthorne St. When the elderly resident answered, the man forced his way in, knocking the victim to the floor, Frazier said

The suspect then took the man's pants from a couch, possibly believing that his wallet was inside, and fled the scene on foot.

Long is also wanted in connection with the theft of necklace from a woman with whom he was staying on School Street, Frazier said.

The victim later found a pawn ticket at the house after Long had moved out and investigators were able to retrieve the necklace and return it to the victim.

Long is a white male about 6 foot three and weighing about 175 pounds.

Anyone with information regarding Long’s whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Chris Tucker at 706-278-9085, ext.165.