BEVO MILLS, MO (KTVI)– There was an urgent warning from St. Louis police Monday night.
Police said there was a rapist at large after two attacks not far from the Bevo Mill in South St. Louis over the weekend.
Police said they were looking into developing a sketch of the suspect and they`d stepped up patrols in the area.
There were two burglaries, one early Friday, the other early Saturday, police said.
Both crimes became sexual assaults; one victim was an adult woman; the other a teenage girl, police said.
“I never leave my back door open,” said Kathy Leicht, who lives nearby. “If you don`t feel safe in your own home, there`s something wrong.”
There was something very wrong, police said.
One incident happened in the 4000 block of Delor Street.
The other incident happened one street over, in the 3900 block of Walsh.
Police urged residents to be vigilant and above all lock doors and windows. In both cases, the suspect gained entry through unlocked back doors.
‘”he suspect came into a residence, in through an insecure rear door, was burglarizing the residence,” said Lt. John Harper of the St. Louis Police Department. “The victim woke up, an adult, female victim, was confronted by the suspect, who demanded money, then sexually assaulted her.”
The description of the incidents was nearly identical; same with the description of the suspect:
white male, late teens early 20`s, with short brown hair, medium build, wearing dark clothing, possibly with facial hair – a goatee; carrying a knife in both cases.
“I don`t know what I would do. If that was me I probably wouldn`t even scream because I`d be scared,” Leicht said.
Police are comparing these cases to others to see if they may be related. They’re urging any other victims to come forward.
If you have information about the suspect call St. Louis Police — or CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS. You may get up to a $1000 reward and you don’t have to leave your name.
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