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Friday, July 30, 2010 |
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Luling woman among rapist’s recent targets
Published December 17, 2009
SEGUIN — Authorities are searching for a serial rapist who has been linked to two incidents in south Texas.
A man who has been dubbed the “Twilight Rapist” has been victimizing elderly citizens in counties across south and central Texas. Authorities are investigating 12 incidents — at least eight of them rapes they believe were committed by the same man. The incidents happened as far as 150 miles apart in Yoakum, Luling and rural areas of Leon, Bell and Falls counties.
Guadalupe County Sheriff Arnold Zwicke said everyone needs to be aware of what is going on around them.
“It’s just sad that things like this happen in today’s world,” Zwicke said. “People need to be aware of their surroundings, and of the people around them. Remember to lock your doors and windows at night, and leave a light on outside. I hope that neighbors are watching out for neighbors.”
Authorities have been investigating the rapist since January. The latest incident — an attempted rape of a 79-year-old woman — occurred Nov. 24 at a retirement community in Luling.
Zwicke said the best thing to do is to report anything suspicious to the authorities.
“If you see anything suspicious, please call us,” Zwicke said. “I’d rather get 100 calls and them be nothing than miss that one call where something could have been prevented. The more people we have involved looking out for one another, the safer it is for everyone.”
Many of these cases have been linked by physical evidence, including DNA, said Texas Ranger Chief Tony Leal. In some cases, there was a reported burglary of the victim’s residence prior to the sexual assault. It is believed the rapist prowls the victims’ neighborhoods before striking in the early morning hours. In many cases, he has disabled the victim’s telephone.
Seguin Police Chief Kevin Kelso also recommends that people become familiar with their neighbors.
“Meet your neighbors, and get to know them,” Kelso said. “If they know who is supposed to be at your home and who isn’t, it can be very helpful. If you don’t know someone personally, do not let them into your home. Do your business with them outside and with the door closed.”
The rapist has been described as a thin, young, dark-skinned man between 5-feet-6-inches and 6-feet tall, Leal said.
Investigators believe the offender has a sexual preference for elderly females, and therefore may not be in a romantic relationship with a woman his own age.
The suspect has demonstrated his familiarity with each of these communities and apparently has the freedom, either in personal life or at work, to move about during the late evening and pre-dawn early morning hours.
Zwicke said while there has not been an incident linked to the Twilight Rapist reported in Guadalupe County, it is still up to residents to be cautious and to look out for one another.
“We have not had any reports of this rapist in Guadalupe County,” Zwicke said. “But we’ll certainly do everything we can to help out the Texas Rangers and other law enforcement officials if there is an incident in our area.”
Anyone who may know someone fitting the description and characteristics of this rapist is urged to contact their local law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Public Safety Fusion Center at 1-866-786-5972. Callers may remain anonymous.
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