Clinton, IA -
Police in Clinton and Fulton are now working together to solve a string of sexual assaults and break-ins. It started in Fulton when a woman was robbed and raped at gunpoint last Tuesday and the latest attempt came Monday night.
Connie Swartz loves watching her grandchildren play, but now she fears for them a bit more, because two doors down from her, someone's sense of security was taken away.
"Its weird that it hit this close to home," says Swartz.
21-year-old Jeri Garner at 919 N. 4th Street reported an intruder at 9 p.m. Monday night, police say she ran into him in her home and the two struggled until he ran off. Captain Randy Meier says Clinton detectives are investigating that break-in in connection with three others in the area, two which were sexual assaults, in just one week's time.
"To have four reports of this nature in the small geographic area in that span of time is of deep concern to us," says Capt. Meier, Clinton Police Department.
Clinton police say these home invasions have all been crimes of opportunity, the criminal entering without forcing his way in.
"We encourage people to lock their doors and be vigilant about their surroundings. If they see something suspicious report it immediately to police. I stress immediately, because it allows us to react much faster, even two minutes might be too long," says Capt. Meier.
If this is all being committed by the same person or persons, they may be getting bolder. Monday nights break in was just four blocks away from the sheriff's office less than a mile away. Captain Meier says Clinton police are putting all their resources into catching this criminal, starting with the victims.
"Find out if there's any commonalities to between them, do they know any of the same people do they frequent any of the same areas, is there anything to the possibility of a ling between them. Each of the scenes have been investigated forensically, there's always physical evidence of some kind, but were trying to find out if it's relevant and if it's linked to anything else going on," says Capt. Meier.
But until someone is caught, those like Connie are keeping their doors locked.
"I've actually been on the lookout more and I even lock my doors during the daytime because I don't even feel safe during the daytime," says Swartz.
Police don't have a good description of the man the victims say is responsible. If you have any information you're asked to contact Clinton police or Crimestoppers.
Connie Swartz loves watching her grandchildren play, but now she fears for them a bit more, because two doors down from her, someone's sense of security was taken away.
"Its weird that it hit this close to home," says Swartz.
21-year-old Jeri Garner at 919 N. 4th Street reported an intruder at 9 p.m. Monday night, police say she ran into him in her home and the two struggled until he ran off. Captain Randy Meier says Clinton detectives are investigating that break-in in connection with three others in the area, two which were sexual assaults, in just one week's time.
"To have four reports of this nature in the small geographic area in that span of time is of deep concern to us," says Capt. Meier, Clinton Police Department.
Clinton police say these home invasions have all been crimes of opportunity, the criminal entering without forcing his way in.
"We encourage people to lock their doors and be vigilant about their surroundings. If they see something suspicious report it immediately to police. I stress immediately, because it allows us to react much faster, even two minutes might be too long," says Capt. Meier.
If this is all being committed by the same person or persons, they may be getting bolder. Monday nights break in was just four blocks away from the sheriff's office less than a mile away. Captain Meier says Clinton police are putting all their resources into catching this criminal, starting with the victims.
"Find out if there's any commonalities to between them, do they know any of the same people do they frequent any of the same areas, is there anything to the possibility of a ling between them. Each of the scenes have been investigated forensically, there's always physical evidence of some kind, but were trying to find out if it's relevant and if it's linked to anything else going on," says Capt. Meier.
But until someone is caught, those like Connie are keeping their doors locked.
"I've actually been on the lookout more and I even lock my doors during the daytime because I don't even feel safe during the daytime," says Swartz.
Police don't have a good description of the man the victims say is responsible. If you have any information you're asked to contact Clinton police or Crimestoppers.
