KANSAS CITY, MO -
A second rape within two weeks in the Waldo neighborhood is believed to be by the same attacker. Kansas City police said the rapist tied up the victims using clothing and forced her to bathe after each sexual assault.
The first rape happened around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29 in the 7500 block of Summit Street in Waldo. The second assault occurred around 3 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11 in the 100 block of East 78th Terrace, a few blocks outside the neighborhood.
Police said there were no signs of forced entry in either case. Both women were in their 20s or 30s and were home alone.
"We definitely believe that these are stranger rapes, which are rare for us," said Captain Mark Folsom of the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department.
In the most recent attack, the victim said she woke to find a man in her bedroom. He shouted for her to get up. When the man asked for valuables, the victim said she had none. The man tied her hands, and when she fought back, the man hit her in the face with a gun, choked her and threatened to kill her if she continued to struggle. After raping her, the man forced her to bathe.
The woman suffered bruises on her face, neck and arms and her right eye swelled shut.
The attacks have many in the area worried about their safety.
"My boyfriend lives in Lawrence, he was here the night of the attack," Doris Cagle told FOX 4 News. "I don't know if he wasn't here if I would feel safe. I never would have thought this would happen two doors down."
Another Waldo resident, Danika Huntley, said that the attacks have raised her defenses.
"To be very cautious, lock doors, watch my surroundings, be more aware," said Huntley.
Less than two weeks earlier, a woman woke to find a man in her living room. He said he was a burglar. He rummaged through the woman's home and purse, raped her twice and forced her to bathe after each assault.
"Too many things were similar to the first one when we talked to the victim and saw the scene," said Capt. Folsom.
On Tuesday, police and neighborhood residents met to take proactive steps to keep the area safe.
"Waldo is a good place to be," said neighborhood resident Ruth Austin. "Any of these areas are safe. Things will happen anywhere and everywhere."
But when those things happen to neighbors, it can send a chill down through the entire community.
"My prayers are with the families of the ladies this happened to," said Huntley.
Police said they do not have a good suspect description at this time. They believe the suspect is casing neighborhoods and encourage residents to leave their lights on and be vigilant in locking their windows and doors. They also ask that any suspicious activity be reported.
Click here for safety tips from safety consultant Tracey Hawkins.
Below is a map of where rapes occurred in the Waldo area. Addresses are not exact to protect the victims.
View Waldo Rapes in a larger map
The first rape happened around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29 in the 7500 block of Summit Street in Waldo. The second assault occurred around 3 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11 in the 100 block of East 78th Terrace, a few blocks outside the neighborhood.
Police said there were no signs of forced entry in either case. Both women were in their 20s or 30s and were home alone.
"We definitely believe that these are stranger rapes, which are rare for us," said Captain Mark Folsom of the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department.
In the most recent attack, the victim said she woke to find a man in her bedroom. He shouted for her to get up. When the man asked for valuables, the victim said she had none. The man tied her hands, and when she fought back, the man hit her in the face with a gun, choked her and threatened to kill her if she continued to struggle. After raping her, the man forced her to bathe.
The woman suffered bruises on her face, neck and arms and her right eye swelled shut.
The attacks have many in the area worried about their safety.
"My boyfriend lives in Lawrence, he was here the night of the attack," Doris Cagle told FOX 4 News. "I don't know if he wasn't here if I would feel safe. I never would have thought this would happen two doors down."
Another Waldo resident, Danika Huntley, said that the attacks have raised her defenses.
"To be very cautious, lock doors, watch my surroundings, be more aware," said Huntley.
Less than two weeks earlier, a woman woke to find a man in her living room. He said he was a burglar. He rummaged through the woman's home and purse, raped her twice and forced her to bathe after each assault.
"Too many things were similar to the first one when we talked to the victim and saw the scene," said Capt. Folsom.
On Tuesday, police and neighborhood residents met to take proactive steps to keep the area safe.
"Waldo is a good place to be," said neighborhood resident Ruth Austin. "Any of these areas are safe. Things will happen anywhere and everywhere."
But when those things happen to neighbors, it can send a chill down through the entire community.
"My prayers are with the families of the ladies this happened to," said Huntley.
Police said they do not have a good suspect description at this time. They believe the suspect is casing neighborhoods and encourage residents to leave their lights on and be vigilant in locking their windows and doors. They also ask that any suspicious activity be reported.
Click here for safety tips from safety consultant Tracey Hawkins.
Below is a map of where rapes occurred in the Waldo area. Addresses are not exact to protect the victims.
View Waldo Rapes in a larger map
