FULTON, Illinois -
Authorities say a Fulton woman was robbed and raped at gunpoint inside her home around 1 a.m. on Tuesday. A shocking crime that put this normally quiet community on high alert. Police on Friday were urging residents to lock their doors and report any suspicious activity.
"I think everybody's uptight after that," said nearby resident Mike Schafer. "Being in a small community like this and have this happen, it's frightening."
"Things have changed," added Ron Abbott.
Police say the unknown suspect is a black man, in his early to mid-20's, tall and thin. Across the river in Clinton, authorities want to know if he's linked to another armed home break-in. This one happening in Clinton nearly three hours later.
It's heightening awareness in the community and becoming a cause for concern.
"I think it's a surprise to a lot of people," said Ruth Boden, a sexual abuse counselor.
Clinton's YWCA offers a Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Resource Center. Boden provides outreach to victims and the community.
"That really gets people thinking," she continued. "Wow, this really does happen in our town."
While investigators work to piece together the evidence, it's a painful illustration that violence hits close to home. In quiet neighborhoods, it's making residents think about security.
"It makes somebody like myself, who has five children and a wife at home, want to look into a guard dog," he said. "Checking in with the neighbors a little more, and hope they look out for us."
Anyone with tips can contact Fulton Police at (815) 589-3617, Clinton Police at (563) 243-1455 or Whiteside County Crimestoppers toll free at (877) 625-7867.
"I think everybody's uptight after that," said nearby resident Mike Schafer. "Being in a small community like this and have this happen, it's frightening."
"Things have changed," added Ron Abbott.
Police say the unknown suspect is a black man, in his early to mid-20's, tall and thin. Across the river in Clinton, authorities want to know if he's linked to another armed home break-in. This one happening in Clinton nearly three hours later.
It's heightening awareness in the community and becoming a cause for concern.
"I think it's a surprise to a lot of people," said Ruth Boden, a sexual abuse counselor.
Clinton's YWCA offers a Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Resource Center. Boden provides outreach to victims and the community.
"That really gets people thinking," she continued. "Wow, this really does happen in our town."
While investigators work to piece together the evidence, it's a painful illustration that violence hits close to home. In quiet neighborhoods, it's making residents think about security.
"It makes somebody like myself, who has five children and a wife at home, want to look into a guard dog," he said. "Checking in with the neighbors a little more, and hope they look out for us."
Anyone with tips can contact Fulton Police at (815) 589-3617, Clinton Police at (563) 243-1455 or Whiteside County Crimestoppers toll free at (877) 625-7867.
