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Sarasota Police Link 5 Home Invasions

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By JACKIE BARRON

jbarron@wfla.com

Published: March 16, 2009

Updated: 03/16/2009 07:20 pm

SARASOTA - Police believe a series of home invasions targeting middle-aged and older women has climbed from two to five.

Last week, Sarasota police officials confirmed two attacks, now detectives have added a rape a month ago, a violent robbery in Manatee County and a fifth attack last Saturday night in a Phillippi Creek neighborhood in Sarasota County to the list.

That's where Janice Kane lives.

"We do have an alarm system and we will be using it more regularly now," she said.

The victim in the Saturday night attack is 61 years old. Deputies said the suspect grabbed her around her mouth from behind while she watched late-night television.

Similar to the cases in Sarasota, deputies said he tied the woman up and threatened her. A police report states, "her assailant spoke frequently of needing crack." A fact in common with one of the Sarasota attacks where he told the victim he needed money for crack cocaine.

Investigators said the robber has taken cash, thousands of dollars in jewelry, computers and a 55-inch plasma television. In each case detectives said the robber wears a mask and gloves making any kind of description difficult. The victims range in age from 52 to 84.

Police believe the man enjoys the attacks.

"These ladies are getting hurt and not just hurt, I mean brutally hurt," said Sarasota Police Capt. Bill Spitler.

Both the police and the sheriff's office need the public's help watching out and calling in with anything unusual, he said.

Spitler wants folks to keep their doors locked and keep an eye on their neighbors.

News Channel 8 reporter Jackie Barron can be contacted at (813) 221-5708.

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