Detectives from the Manchester and Vernon Police Departments along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Violent Crime Behavioral Analysis Unit, and the CT State Police Forensic lab are jointly investigating a series of four sexually motivated burglaries that occurred between August 2001 and January 2008. The first three crimes occurred in Manchester, and the most recent one occurred in Vernon. The victims ranged in age from their mid 30's to early 80's. On one occasion, in order to gain compliance, the offender threatened to harm a victim's sleeping child. Similarly, on a second occasion, the offender threatened to harm a victim's frail, elderly mother, who was sleeping nearby. Investigators have received significant cooperation from the community, and they are providing the following information as part of a request for additional assistance:

 

            The suspect, who remains at large and potentially poses a continued risk to the community, is generally described as a white or possibly Hispanic male with a medium build, and he is believed to be in his late 20's to mid 40's.   

 

It is believed that the suspect has spent a considerable amount of time in, or is otherwise familiar with, the area of the crimes and that he frequently has been out and about during times when most people are sleeping. 

 

The suspect had to have been unaccounted for at the times of the assaults. In order to explain his whereabouts, he may have fabricated stories regarding his activities during those time periods. Specifically, the assaults occurred on:

 

 

 

 

           

            Given the time frames associated with the crimes, investigators believe it possible that additional victims, who have not reported similar assaults to police, may exist. Such victims may have hesitated to file police reports for a number of reasons, including: fear, safety concerns, or possibly even a misplaced sense of embarrassment. Because any additional information could lead to the identification of the offender, investigators are making a separate appeal for victims of previously-unreported sexual assaults to contact the police.

 

            The public should note that people who know the suspect may not believe that he is capable of committing these crimes. He also may not necessarily have a violent criminal history. 

 

With the above in mind, citizens are asked to contact authorities with any potentially useful information, even if: it seems unimportant them, or they think that someone else has already filed a similar report, or the information does not completely fit with previously reported information or the details contained herein.

 

            Because investigators are in possession of DNA evidence that can either positively link the suspect to his crimes or exclude innocent parties, citizens should not hesitate to provide information, even if it is just the name of a potential suspect.

 

Information can discreetly be provided via telephone to the Vernon Police Department to Det. Don Skewes at 872-9126 ext 270 or to e-mail address dskewes@vernonctpolice.com, or the Manchester Police Department Det Richard Rivard at 645-5510 or e-mail address rivardr@ci.manchester.ct.us.