Police search for man accused of crawling through window, attacking Colorado Springs woman
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Police are searching for an unidentified man accused of crawling through a woman's bedroom window, attacking her, and then trying to take her with him.
Officers with the Colorado Springs Police Department responded at 11:25 p.m. Thursday to a reported home invasion in the 1400 block of Custer Avenue -- a neighborhood south of the Patty Jewett Golf Course that has mostly single-family homes and a handful of rental units.
According to CSPD, the victim told police that the suspect entered her bedroom window by removing an air conditioning unit; his pants were down when he entered her bedroom and he proceeded to "physically attack her."
The victim said that he tried pulling her out of the window before running away.
Police said that the woman wasn't seriously hurt, and that -- unlike in most home invasion cases -- the suspect and victim don't know each other.
The CSPD is asking that anyone who has information in the case, or who may have surveillance video of the area, contact them immediately.
Lt. Pamela Castro said that the suspect is facing a charge of first-degree burglary.
"There are certain elements in the sexual assault statues that have to be met, but our burglary team is taking the lead on this," she explained. "They are coordinating with our adult sexual assault detectives. What his motive or intent was in having his pants off will be part of the investigation."
However, neighbors who spoke with KRDO Friday said that they were unaware of the incident or don't know who the victim is.
"I'd tell her that I'm sorry it happened and she's brave," said Chante Pulido. "She's brave. I'm proud of her, as a woman."
Andy DeMarco has lived in the neighborhood since 1984.
"It's crazy to me that people are still out doing this stuff," he said. "Go get a job and do something with your life. To be out here committing crimes is just senseless to me."
Some neighbors said that they're not surprised by the home invasion, given that the neighborhood has had prior issues with transients from nearby Shooks Run Creek; there are no street lights on the block; and the window of a vacant home was broken recently.
"I live with my brother and my nine-year-old niece," said Sean Raven. "We just make sure to never leave her alone. Even though we have a dog, (criminals) can find a way in if we're not there and she's there. That's the last thing I want to happen."
Castro recommends that people observe what police refer to as "The 9 p.m. Routine."
"It's just kind of a checklist of the routine that you can get into to secure your residence, and hopefully not be a victim of crime," she said. "Such as -- keep your doors and windows locked, and get devices that can secure window air conditioners."
Some neighbors said that they hadn't checked the video of their surveillance cameras yet, but plan to do do soon and report to police if they see anything important.
