Published: November 25, 2009 12:56 pm      

Press conference focuses on safety

Police rehash intruder reports, seek community’s help

CLINTON — Law enforcement officials gave no new information at a press conference Wednesday morning regarding a week-long string of four intruder reports, but provided tips on how residents can protect themselves from attack and requested the community’s help with the investigation.

Clinton County Attorney Mike Wolf, Clinton Police Chief Brian Guy and Fulton, Ill., Chief Jim Rhoades spoke to members of the media at 9 a.m. at the Clinton County Courthouse.

“We’re entering the holiday weekend, and we want people to be mindful of this situation,” Wolf said. “There is a person that is reported to be armed and willing to enter homes.”

Wolf, Guy and Rhoades did not confirm they are seeking one suspect in connection with the incidents, although they said all of the victims in the reports have described the intruder as a tall, thin black male.

Wolf said the state and local agencies have worked “effectively and swiftly” in investigating the intruder reports collaboratively.

“The purpose of this press conference is to have a proactive approach, to let the public know that this is something that is being actively investigated, and to let them know what is being done and what they can do to assist us and to protect themselves,” said Wolf.

Two representatives of the Clinton YWCA Sexual Assault Resource Center offered advice on how residents can stay safe. Linda Kranz, crisis services director at the center, said the center has received calls from women in the community who have been unnerved by the intruder reports, and from past victims of sexual assault who have experienced frightening reminders of their experiences through hearing about the recent local reports.

“The one thing that we want people to know is that it is very normal, if you are a victim of sexual assault and have been in the past, that this may trigger some of your memory, and that is quite normal,” said Kranz. “We have sexual assault advocates who are available 24/7 to talk to people.”

Ruth Boden, a certified sexual assault counselor at the center, said women can avoid being targeted by keeping their vehicle and residence doors locked, and using a buddy system and letting friends know where they are when they have to be out late at night. She also said residents should remain alert and report any suspicious activity to police.

“I think it’s important that if you’re at home and you see something suspicious – a car keeps going by your house or someone that you don’t recognize is in your neighborhood – don’t be afraid to report that,” she said. “I think that people are afraid to report things when they think that they’re just being paranoid, or they don’t want to disturb the police, they have enough on their plate. But I think it’s very important to report those things.”

Chief Guy said the most common point of entry for intruder attacks are through a front door or garage. He also urged residents to keep a cell phone or cordless phone near them to be able to call 911 immediately if an intruder gains entry.

“The weakest insecurity link is the home occupant who fails to lock the door or windows, or will open the door without question at the sound of a knock,” said Guy.

Officials acknowledged that some misinformation and rumors have been circulating about the incidents, and asked community members to make sure information is confirmed with police.

“Citizenry needs to be our eyes and ears,” said Rhoades. “We only have so many officers in this area, and we really need that link to help us in cases like this. You may have a piece of information and you really don’t know how it ties together, but sometimes those little pieces of the puzzle are what we need to make our case.”

Similar descriptions have been released from the incidents, the first of which occurred in Fulton around 1 a.m. Nov. 17, after an armed intruder allegedly forced his way into an apartment on 10th Avenue, robbed and sexually assaulted the female resident.

In Clinton, two reports were made in the early morning hours of Nov. 18. The first resident, in the 200 block of 18th Place, reported at 3:50 a.m. that an armed intruder gained entry to the home and demanded money. The resident did not report any injuries.

Just more than an hour later at 5 a.m., a woman reported a sexual assault by an armed intruder at a home in the 600 block of North Fourth Street in Clinton. Police did not give the extent of the woman’s injuries.

Just before 9 p.m. on Monday, a 21-year-old Clinton woman in the 900 block of North Fourth Street reported a burglary by an unknown intruder to police. The woman told police she struggled with the intruder, described as a black male about six feet tall, before the man fled.

According to Clinton police, the suspect wanted in connection with the Clinton reports made Nov. 18 is a tall, slender black male armed with a handgun. Police reports from the Fulton incident indicate that the suspect is a black male in his early to mid 20s, between 5 foot 8 inches and 6 feet tall, between 150 pounds and 170 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, no facial hair and a thin build.

The Illinois State Police, Iowa State Police, Clinton County Sheriff’s Office and Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office are assisting the Clinton Police Department and Fulton Police Department with the investigation.

Give tips

Clinton residents with any information on the incidents are encouraged to call the Clinton Police Department at 563-243-1458, or can give anonymous tips to Clinton County CrimeStoppers at 563-242-6595. Fulton residents can call the Fulton Police Department at 815-589-3617, or give anonymous tips to Whiteside County CrimeStoppers at 1-877-625-7867. In an emergency, residents are asked to call 911 immediately.

Get help

• The YWCA in Clinton offers confidential counseling and legal advice through its Sexual Assault Resource Center. If you are a victim of sexual assault and are afraid to come forward, an advocate can accompany you to the police station and offer you support. For more information, call 563-242-2118. The center also has a 24-hour toll-free crisis line at 1-800-391-9319.

• The Clinton County Sheriff offers cell phones to residents to be used in an emergency. The sheriff’s office has a 911 emergency cell phone program targeted toward seniors and residents with special needs. Alan Green, the program’s director, said any resident who does not have a cell phone or landline is welcome to use the program. The cell phones are provided by donation, and can be used only to contact emergency responders. For more information about getting a phone or donating old phones to the program, contact the sheriff’s office at 563-242-9211.