The Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the assault of a restaurant employee Tuesday night.

The female employee reported that she left the Virginia BBQ restaurant in the Eagle Harbor Commons Shopping Center about 9:18 p.m. She was walking to her car in the rear of the location when she heard a noise coming from near a large trash receptacle, according to a press release from Lt. Tommy Potter of the Sheriff’s Office.

After investigating the noise and not finding anything, she turned and was walking to her car when she was attacked and assaulted, according to the press release.

She said the man, around 5 feet, 9 inches tall and 190 pounds, grabbed her and assaulted her. She managed to break free, and the man fled the area on foot, possibly toward the 7-Eleven on Carrollton Boulevard, according to the press release.

The suspect was wearing dark-colored clothing, and a dark-colored mask or hoodie covered the face of the attacker, according to the release.

The employee was treated at Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or text your tip to the word “CRIMES” and begin with the letters IOWCL. All information submitted to the Crime Line is confidential and could earn the tipster a cash reward.