Limestone County authorities were searching for a man Tuesday who forced his way into the home of a retired county insurance agent Monday night robbing he his wife of approximately $140 in cash.

“I think it was a drug attic looking for drugs,” said Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely of the suspect. “We do not have a suspect at this point, but we are offering a substantial reward for information that will lead us to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.”

Blakely said a man knocked on the front door at the residence of James Leopard on Page Road Monday night and when Leopard answered the door, the man opened the storm door and forced his way into the home.

“He had a stick in his hand and demanded their money,” Blakely said. “He left with approximately $140 that he took from the couple’s purse and billfold.”

Blakely said dogs from the Limestone Correctional Facility were called in and tracked the suspect, a black male about 30 years of age, across the back yard of the home and another 200 yards to the west to Kelly Road where he believes the suspect got into a vehicle that had been parked there.

“We have no suspects at this time,” the sheriff said. “The Leopards were a little shook up and were checked out when we called an ambulance down there. But they are okay and did not require hospitalization.”

The sheriff said the county’s helicopter was also used in the search for the suspect Monday night.

The suspect was described to investigators as being about six-feet tall and heavy built. He was wearing dark clothing and a dark toboggan.

While the Leopards did not opening allow this man inside their home, some residents do let strangers come inside, Blakely said.

“We encourage them not to let anyone inside their home they do not know. If they think someone is suspicious all they have to do is telephone the Sheriff’s Department and we will get someone out there,” he added.