Cops Link Brutal Rape To Series Of Attacks Across Dallas

Wednesday, April 11th 2007, 8:29 am

By: News On 6

DALLAS (AP) _ Police believe the man who brutally raped and stabbed a woman in her apartment is also responsible for 18 other home invasions across the Dallas area over the last two years.

One man was killed and two girls were also shot during those break-ins, reported across Plano, Dallas, Coppell, Richardson, Frisco and Garland, police said.

Early Tuesday, a man armed with a sawed-off shotgun entered a woman's Frisco apartment by breaking a door window, according to authorities.

The 25-year-old woman was raped, stabbed and bound, but managed to crawl to a neighbor's door for help, police said. Authorities said she underwent surgery at a Dallas hospital but her condition was not immediately available.

The attacker stole cash and the woman's bank card.

``We suspect this is going to be linked to home invasions that began in May 2005,'' said police Sgt. Gina McFarlin in suburban Frisco. ``This would be the 19th.''

``We know he's been willing to hurt people before,'' she said.

Authorities say the invasions follow a similar pattern: The assailant appears to target ground-floor apartments and carries a sawed-off shotgun and duffel bag or backpack. He enters by breaking glass back doors. In some cases, he wore a red or blue bandanna as a mask, police said.

Frisco put more police on the streets in response to Tuesday's violent attack, McFarlin said.

``We want people to be aware and take those extra precautions,'' she said. ``Keep their blinds closed, obviously keep their doors locked and be aware of their surroundings.''