IRONDALE, Alabama - Irondale police are searching for a man they say stalked a woman over a 10-day period and then abducted and sexually assaulted her Tuesday.

Richard Earl Hayes, 45, is charged with first-degree stalking. Police say he is suspected in the kidnapping and assault of the 42-year-old victim as well, but said those charges have not yet been filed.

For the past 10 days, said Irondale Detective Michael Mangina, Hayes has followed and harassed the woman to the point of sending her text messages. He also called the victim, and called her boyfriend.

On Tuesday afternoon, Mangina said, Hayes followed the woman and forced her to pull over. "That's when the sexual assault occurred,'' Mangina said.

The assault happened between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. "We just have to determine where she was when it happened,'' Mangina said.

Police said the victim and Hayes don't know each other. It's possible, he said, that there is a connection between Hayes and the victim's boyfriend, but that also remains under investigation.

"There's no cause for alarm,'' Mangina said. "This isn't a random act. This lady was specifically targeted and we're trying to figure out why."

Hayes was armed with a handgun during the assault. He doesn't have any violent criminal history.

Mangina said it's an unusual crime for that community. "Very rarely does this happen in Irondale,'' he said.

Hayes has addresses in Lineville and Heflin. Police said they were unable to locate him in either place. He may be driving a grey Dodge Charger, a black SUV, a black pickup truck or an older brown car.

Anyone with information is asked to call Irondale police at 205-956-5990 or your local law enforcement agency.