Eastside Defender

UPDATE: The StarTribune covers the story:

Minneapolis police say the unidentified man who stalked and raped a woman Saturday in northeast Minneapolis took steps that lead investigators to believe this might not have been his first offense.

"The fact that this individual concealed his identity by covering his head and took steps to destroy evidence and other particulars of the case lead us to the possibility he is a convicted sex offender," said Lt. Nancy Dunlap, head of the sex crimes unit. "All these things concern us."

The man broke into a vacant apartment around midnight Saturday and then got into the woman's apartment through a common wall, police said. He had watched the woman's apartment for a day or two to see if she lived alone, Dunlap said. The man also told the victim things to indicate he had targeted her.

From the 2nd Precinct:

Facts: On October 3, 2009, officers responded to a call. A lone female victim was at home in the 34xx block of Polk St. NE when a suspect broke in through a vacant attached apartment. The male appeared to have stalked and targeted his victim; he waited until she was alone and then sexually assaulted her.

Suspect information: The suspect is described as a white middle-aged male, six feet or taller, skinny, wearing a flat brim trucker hat, a flannel shirt long sleeve button down, and blue jeans. The suspect did take precautions to conceal his identity.

What you can do:

• Turn on your outdoor lights. If there are lights out in your neighborhood, call 311 if it is a city light (on a metal pole). If it is an Xcel Energy light (wooden pole), call 1‑800-960-6235.
• Stay alert to your surroundings. Be aware of who is around you.
• Install good locks and lock them. Lock the door if you are at home and if you are gone even for a few minutes.
• Make you home look (and sound) occupied. If you leave for the evening, leave on a light and a radio.
• Turn on exterior lights at night.
• Don't open your door to anyone without business inside.
• Ask your crime prevention specialist to conduct a free Home Security Survey. We will give you more tips and ideas for making your home secure.
• Don’t get out of your vehicle or leave your home if you see someone who appears threatening or suspicious. Be aware of vehicles idling nearby or strangers sitting in vehicles or loitering. When approaching your car or house, have your car or house key ready in your hand.
• Use strong body language by walking with confidence and purpose, head up. If you think someone is following you, switch directions and walk to a lighted home or where there are other people. Keep distance between yourself and a potential attacker by walking or running away and/or placing obstacles between you (car, bus shelter, etc.) Draw attention to yourself or a potential attacker by using loud verbal commands, a screech alarm, or both.
• Call 911 immediately to report any cries for help.
• Report any incidents of criminal sexual conduct.
• Any one with information or tips, call 612-673-2358 and leave the tip (you can be anonymous if you choose.)
• Organize a block club. Call your crime prevention specialist for additional information and for dates for upcoming block club training.
• Attend a free Personal Safety Workshop which will be held on Thursday, October 29 at Pratt School, 66 Malcolm Ave SE at 6:30 p.m. or Saturday, November 21 at Northeast Middle School, 2955 Hayes St. NE, at 10:00 a.m. The programs will last approximately two hours. Please call your crime prevention specialist to make reservations.

If you have any questions about safety or crime prevention, you may call Crime Prevention Specialist Carol Oosterhuis at 673-2784.