Gun totin’ granny deters home invader

Early Saturday morning, November 24, a woman in her eighties who lives in Centerville heard footsteps in her home. She keeps a gun close at hand and grabbed it when she heard the steps coming toward her bed. The invader attempted to contain the woman but she managed to get away, running outside, firing shots and screaming for help.

The woman’s house is on Cass Street just south of Highway 7. The assailant took several items of value and some cash before leaving the residence.

The entire Central Texas area has been shocked and frightened by recent attacks on elderly women and the frequency of the assaults appears to be escalating. On October 10 a similar incident occurred in Falls County, on Highway 7, just outside Marlin. In this case the 78-year -old victim was raped and money was stolen.

In July and September two elderly women, who lived on Highway 7, at opposite ends of Marquez, were attacked in a similar manner. One was raped and the other managed to escape through a bedroom window, avoiding being sexually assaulted. Valuables have been taken in each incident and phone lines have been disabled.

Bell and Lavaca Counties have reported similar crimes and DNA evidence has positively linked three of the assaults.

Authorities believe the assailant watches the victim for several weeks before the attack. There is evidence that he has previously broken into some of the homes and tampered with phone and security lines. Leon County investigators are asking anyone who may have had a home phone line disabled or cut anytime in the past year, to call them.

Leon County Judge Byron Ryder said “We are extremely concerned about the situation and ask everyone to be on the alert. Women who are at risk should keep some weapon handy. Wasp spray shoots several feet and can be very painful, or maybe have a baseball bat close. Do what it takes to protect yourself.”

Although there has been no such incident in Milam County authorities there held a Town Hall Meeting for citizens who were concerned about the attacks.