Neighbors “terrified” after SLO sexual assault
San Luis Obispo Police need your help after a terrifying crime.
A young woman was sexually assaulted by a stranger in her own home Sunday morning.
Folks that live near the crime scene say quite frankly, they’re freaked out, terrified and on high alert.
“I’m definitely on the alert now,” said Janine Rands, who lives near where the attack took place.
Rands says the next time she takes her dog for a walk; she’s bringing a club with her.
“Oh we’re nervous,” said Rands.
News that a woman in her 20’s was sexually assaulted by an intruder early Sunday morning spread quickly along the 100 block of Los Paulos.
“It’s frightening to know that our houses, or any house in this community, is subject to getting a predator to come in and hold you at knife point,” said Rands.
Rands says aside from petty theft; she’s never felt threatened in the Los Verdes Park Complex.
“The creek bed [is] right below us, so we’ve had a number of transients come through,” said Rands.
The female victim told police that she woke up to find an unknown man in her bedroom holding a sharp object. He allegedly threatened to harm her if she screamed, sexually assaulted her and took off.
“The suspect that fled the scene is a Hispanic male in his 30’s, he’s about 5’5″ 150 [pounds]” said Sergeant Jeff Booth with the San Luis Obispo Police Department. Police say the suspect also had short dark hair and was last seen wearing a black t-shirt.
When officers arrived on the scene shortly after the incident and saturated the area, they were unable to find the man they think slipped into the woman’s home through an unlocked door.
“We just want to caution everybody, make sure we lock up. I know it’s hot and walking locking up windows and doors at night time keeps your property safe and keeps you safer inside as well,” said Sgt. Booth.
It’s advice that Rands is taking to heart. “We need to take precaution and keep our doors locked,” she said.
SLOPD is asking the community to check their home surveillance systems to see if there’s any footage that could help with their investigation.
Evidence was collected from the crime scene and will be processed at a later date.
Please contact Detective Chastain with any information related to this crime (805) 594-8023.
