Kansas Students Warned about Serial Rapist

October 06, 2009

Kansas Attorney General Steve Six, along with the Riley County and Lawrence police departments, are asking college students to be vigilant during collegiate fall breaks because of a serial rapist who is suspected of committing multiple rapes in Lawrence and Manhattan.

According to police, more than a dozen attacks that have occurred in the two areas since 2000 share significant similarities. The victims' characteristics as well as the manner of the attacks and the times when they occurred all suggest that a single serial rapist is responsible.

The rapist is believed to stalk his victims prior to the attack. He targets female students who live off-campus in homes or apartments and breaks in at night while they are asleep. In some instances, no sign of forced entry was found, suggesting the rapist had gained entry through an unlocked door or window.

Descriptions of the rapist's height and weight have varied in the victims' reports; however, police believe he is a slender, white male of medium height in his mid-20s. Police say the suspect is usually armed and wears something over his face to disguise his identity.

Students are asked to limit their travel during fall break and to pay close attention to activities in their neighborhoods.

"Take extra safety precautions and report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement immediately," Six said.

Six said that law enforcement agencies are working diligently not only to identify the rapist but also to educate the public about how they can avoid being victimized.

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PERSONAL SAFETY TIPS:

• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Never open door to strangers; require ID of service or repair people.
• Plan several escape routes from your home.
• Park in well-lit areas.
• If you come home and something looks wrong or different - do not enter, go to a safe place and call police.
• Keep money in a pocket instead of a purse or wallet.
• Portray a confident and self-reliant person, walk like you have a mission.
• Do not walk or jog alone at night.
• If someone makes you feel uncomfortable or the situation just does not seem right, trust your instincts and leave.
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
• If you are attacked or robbed, or you witness violence, be a good witness and contact the police immediately.
• Immediately report anyone seen watching people or acting suspicious.

RESIDENTIAL SAFETY TIPS:

• Keep doors and windows closed and locked.
• Install good quality locks on doors and windows. Deadbolt door locks are always best. Sliding glass patio doors are frequent points of entry for burglars. They should always be reinforced by wedging a stick or pole firmly in the lower track behind the door.
• Unplug your automatic overhead garage door opener when leaving for an extended period of time.
• Install peepholes in doors.
• Keep shrubbery trimmed so doors and windows are not obscured.
• Ask reliable neighbors to watch your residence when you are away. Keep newspapers, handbills, and mail picked-up while you are gone.
• Keep valuables well hidden especially checkbooks and extra checks. Record and safely store serial numbers from valuable items, such as electronics and firearms.
• Keep premises well lit at night.
• Never let strangers into your home, not even to use the phone.
• Never give information indicating when you will or will not be at home.
• Never let strangers know if you live alone.
• If you are gone overnight, use automatic timers on interior lights to give the appearance that the residence is occupied.

To report crimes in progress, call 911. For non-emergency assistance in Manhattan, call (785) 537-2112, and in Lawrence, call (785) 832-7509. Rewards may also be available through Crime Stoppers by calling (785) 539-7777 in Manhattan and (785) 843-TIPS in Lawrence.

Related Link:
Investigation Discovery: Helpful Resources: Prevention and Awareness

Photo Credit; Police sketch

Comments

[vance meed]

i want him arrested

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