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Women Are Targets As Home Invasions Continue Across Ohio PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jeff Garvas   
Thursday, 16 June 2005

By Larry S. Moore, OFCC Senate District 10 Coordinator

OFCC has reported several home invasions in the news lately. The trend is continuing according to more reports from Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus. Sometimes the motives are burglary, cash for drug habits or rape. Regardless of the motive these stories have several factors in common, not the least of which is that women continue to be targeted by criminals.

WDTN, Channel 2 Dayton, reported that masked gunmen broke into a home escaping with cash and the victim's car. According to the WDTN report it happened about 1:00 AM.
    "Police say a single woman was home alone at the time and she had no choice but to cooperate with the gunmen. The robbers told the woman they wanted cash and jewelry. They also stole her car."
ChannelCincinnati, Channel 5 Cincinnati, is reporting at least two attempts using a ladder to break into bedrooms.

From the ChannelCincinnati report:
    "Police issued an alert Wednesday for residents to be on the lookout for man who is going to extreme measures to get into homes. Officials said a man has used a ladder to try to enter second-floor bedrooms in Anderson Township. The first incident happened Monday when a woman witnessed a man trying to get into her bedroom at 5:45 a.m. Another man used a ladder to reach the second-floor bedroom of a 16-year-old girl"

    "It was really scary and it really didn't hit me until ... whenever I'm outside," said Cindy Welling, area resident. "I used to feel really safe here, but now this had really changed everything for me."
Channel 4 Columbus is reporting an incident in Delaware where the alleged rapist was found sleeping in a woman's bed.

From the Channel 4 report:
    "Police said alleged rapist Robert Hammond, 22, was found sleeping in a woman's bed Saturday morning, NBC 4's John Ivanic reported. Robert broke into the residence, concealed his face, raped her and told her he'd kill her if she told police or did not comply, said Delaware police Sgt. Bruce Pijanowski."

    "That's what so terrifying about this crime. She had no reason to believe she was not safe that night," Pijanowski said. "She did everything she possibly could do to keep her safe. She had all the doors locked."

    Hammond scaled the outside of the building to gain entry, the Delaware Gazette reported.

    "He had to climb up the railings on some decks," Pijanowski said. "There are decks on each apartment. He had to climb on the first floor, the second floor, then on the second-floor deck, he extended himself out (and) hung off the window."
These stories have a lot in common. Women continue to be the targets for crime. The woman in Dayton was caught by surprise and had no choice but to comply. The women in Cincinnati were lucky to scare off the intruder before he gained entry into the house. A rapist falling asleep in the woman's bed is simply bizarre perhaps showing that the criminals who prey on the weaker have no fear. In two of the cases police are looking for citizens with information to help capture the criminals. In the other Delaware case police are seeking information believing that other women have been victimized.

We've said it many times before but still many women fail to take steps for their protection. In all three stories comments were that the victims had their doors locked and had always felt safe at home. How prepared will you be when the feeling of safety is suddenly snatched from you?

Have you taken steps to obtain your CHL? Will you be carrying the protection you need or will you be one that will only "carry if I feel a need"? Many women put off getting a CHL, especially those who have husbands who have their CHL.

Statistics indicate that one in four women will be assaulted in their lifetime. Does your wife or daughter have their CHL? Husbands, who will protect your family if you are not there?

These are serious crimes and serious questions that demand attention to personal safety.