CLINTON, Iowa -
There's a renewed call for information and awareness around the Clinton-Fulton area. That's after a series of sexual assaults and armed home break-ins. Police say there were four incidents during the past week.
On the day before Thanksgiving at Beauty on the Avenue, business is booming at the new salon. That's as ladies get ready for the holiday weekend.
"It's just really scary," said Rachel McKinney. "You don't want to go anywhere by yourself, and you don't want to be home alone."
But instead of talking turkey, voicing concern over a potential serial rapist that put this community on high alert.
"I really try to make sure that none of our girls are alone," said salon owner Liz Henderson. "We're all in a group here. When we close at night, we leave together."
Authorities are saying little about the circumstances and motivation behind these crimes. As they piece together clues, concern that some victims haven't come forward.
"If you have been a victim of a sexual assault, there are resources available," said Clinton Police Chief Brian Guy. "Please contact them, and allow them to come with you, be with you through the process. It's important we have the information."
Police describe an unknown suspect as a tall, thin black man. Investigators want to know if he's linked to all four armed home break-ins during the past week.
Community awareness is something that wil help investigators on both sides of the river as they try to solve these cases. Cases that remain a painful reminder that violent crimes happen there.
At Beauty on the Avenue, it's a topic up for discussion.
"It's kind of sad that it takes something like this for us to be careful," McKinney said. "We should be careful all the time."
"We just really depend on people for the information and descriptions," added Henderson. "Just hope it ends quickly."
Police ask persons with any information to contact: Clinton Police (563) 243-1455, Fulton Police (815) 589-3617, Whiteside County Crimestoppers 1-877-625-7867, or Clinton County Crimestoppers (563) 242-6595
On the day before Thanksgiving at Beauty on the Avenue, business is booming at the new salon. That's as ladies get ready for the holiday weekend.
"It's just really scary," said Rachel McKinney. "You don't want to go anywhere by yourself, and you don't want to be home alone."
But instead of talking turkey, voicing concern over a potential serial rapist that put this community on high alert.
"I really try to make sure that none of our girls are alone," said salon owner Liz Henderson. "We're all in a group here. When we close at night, we leave together."
Authorities are saying little about the circumstances and motivation behind these crimes. As they piece together clues, concern that some victims haven't come forward.
"If you have been a victim of a sexual assault, there are resources available," said Clinton Police Chief Brian Guy. "Please contact them, and allow them to come with you, be with you through the process. It's important we have the information."
Police describe an unknown suspect as a tall, thin black man. Investigators want to know if he's linked to all four armed home break-ins during the past week.
Community awareness is something that wil help investigators on both sides of the river as they try to solve these cases. Cases that remain a painful reminder that violent crimes happen there.
At Beauty on the Avenue, it's a topic up for discussion.
"It's kind of sad that it takes something like this for us to be careful," McKinney said. "We should be careful all the time."
"We just really depend on people for the information and descriptions," added Henderson. "Just hope it ends quickly."
Police ask persons with any information to contact: Clinton Police (563) 243-1455, Fulton Police (815) 589-3617, Whiteside County Crimestoppers 1-877-625-7867, or Clinton County Crimestoppers (563) 242-6595
