Iowa Police Advise: Man Breaking In, Watching Women Sleep
If you know anyone who lives in central Iowa, please make sure they are aware of this very concerning report from the Ames Police Department.
Earlier today, the department released a report stating that multiple break-ins have occurred in Ames. Many times the break-ins have not resulted in stolen items. Instead, a suspect has "stood in the victim's rooms while they slept."
The release went into detail about a break-in on the morning of Saturday, November 21. The Ames Police Department says they were called to a burglary report at 145 Hyland Avenue in Ames at 7:42 a.m. that morning. A female victim, who received minor injuries in an assault, reported her apartment was entered by a tall black male who wore a gray shirt, black sweatpants, and a mask. She says the man demanded money, assaulted her, and left before police arrived on the scene.
The Ames Police Department says there have been a number of burglaries in apartments on Hyland Avenue, between the 100 and 200 blocks. In all of the burglaries, a man has gotten into the apartments of women between 4 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Police say that "In many of the cases, the suspect did not steal items, but he stood in the victim’s rooms while they slept. The suspect’s continued actions are very concerning."
Ames Police continue to investigate leads and are doing extra patrols on foot, along with using additional surveillance. The department reminds citizens to be aware of what's going on around them and to keep both windows and doors locked. Personal safety tips are available HERE on the Ames Police Department website.