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16-Year-Old Wanted In Severe Beating Of 71-Year-Old Woman

WARD, Colo. (CBS4)- Authorities continue to search for a teenager wanted in the attempted murder of a woman who was trying to help him and his friends. The suspect has been identified as Jeffrey Collins.

Deputies from the Boulder County Sheriff's Office rushed to a home in the 13000 block of Lefthand Canyon Drive about 8 p.m. Monday where a woman had been assaulted.

When deputies arrived they found a 71-year-old woman who had suffered massive injuries, including a significant head injury, multiple fractures and multiple lacerations.

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(credit: CBS)

She was rushed to the hospital and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit where she remains.

Deputies determined the woman had been struck with a blunt object by a 16-year-old male, later identified as Collins.

Investigators say the teen had been hitchhiking along with two friends near the community of Ward when the woman picked them up and offered them a place to stay while they arranged for a ride home after a camping trip.

The three hitchhikers, Collins, 16, a 17-year-old female and a 19-year-old male, were with the victim for several hours at her home when Collins suggested they beat up the woman in order to steal her car.

Collins' friends rebuffed the idea but a short time later he began beating her, unprovoked. The other two ran to a neighboring home about a ½ mile away to report the assault.

Collins was last seen getting into a white hatchback traveling up Lefthand Canyon. Deputies presume the suspect hitchhiked a ride with the driver of the white hatchback.

The other two teens remained on scene and cooperated with investigators.

Investigators hope to speak to witnesses in Lefthand Canyon or along the Peak-to-Peak Highway who may have given a ride to a young hitchhiker Monday night or Tuesday morning. Collins is described as white, 16 years old with blonde hair.

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Jeffrey Collins (credit: Boulder County Sheriff's Office)

Deputies have obtained an arrest warrant on Collins for attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assault to an at-risk adult. His bond has been set at $1 million.

Additional Information from the Boulder County Sheriff:

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Jason Shatek at (303) 441-3641. If anyone has information but would like to remain anonymous, please contact Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit their website at www.nococrimestoppers.com. Those who provide information leading to the identification of a suspect could be eligible to receive a reward of up to $1,000.

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