Investigators release tips to stop serial rapist Posted On: Wednesday, Nov. 4 2009 04:59 AM By Victor O'Brien
Killeen Daily Herald

Leon County sheriff's deputies offered Central Texas residents an attack plan Monday against a serial rapist attacking elderly women.

Leon County deputies had a community meeting at the Centerville courthouse Monday night. Earlier Monday, DNA results confirmed suspicions that attacks in Bell, Falls, Lavaca and Leon counties were connected, Leon County Chief Deputy Brent Walter said.

Several hundred residents attended Monday's meeting during which deputies outlined how residents can protect themselves from being a victim of a ninth attack.

Residents in Marquez, where two attacks happened, started a crime watch program. Walter encourages other communities to start a crime watch and make sure the public knows.

"They should let it be known in the community that's out there. So everybody will know, even the crook. So it will cut not only chances of him hitting there, but cut down on other crimes," Walter said.

The first sign of an attack is when phone lines are cut. The attacker is scouting his homes weeks prior to the attack. In some instances, he steals home keys and then cuts the phone lines. Walter urged any elderly person who has their phone lines cut or disconnected to report it to local law enforcement.

The victims all share similarities: elderly widows living alone in well-kept brick homes off main roads. The only exceptions were attacks earlier this year in Lavaca County, which happened off less-traveled roads, Walter said. Most of the attacks happened off Highway 7.

None of the homes had dogs or alarms. Walter recommended elderly residents have pepper spray, get a dog and/or keep a noisemaker such as a push-button car alarm next to their bed.

"Just as long as it makes noise because he won't stick around for that," Walter said.

Deputies suggest friends and family of elderly keep a close eye on them, make sure all lights work and lock all windows.

Leon County is working with the three other counties, the Texas Rangers and the FBI to capture the attacker.

Contact Victor O'Brien at vobrien@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7468.