Police investigate
2 attacks on elderly

Patrols increase after
intruders allegedly sexually
assault women in Kaimuki

A 72-year-old woman in Kaimuki told police a man broke into her apartment early Tuesday and sexually assaulted her, just days after an 85-year-old woman was raped at her Old Waialae Road home.

Police have not established a link between the two cases, and said investigations into both alleged incidents are ongoing.

The 72-year-old woman told officers Tuesday that a man brandished a knife after he broke into her Waialae Avenue apartment about 8 a.m. and then allegedly assaulted her after a brief struggle.

The suspect then fled on foot, she told police.

On Saturday a suspect, described only as a man in his 20s to 30s, allegedly gained entry into the 85-year-old woman's home, held her at knifepoint and then sexually assaulted her. The case is being investigated as a first-degree sexual assault, kidnapping and burglary, and CrimeStoppers has asked for the public's help in locating the suspect.

Police have not made any arrests in either case, but have increased patrols in the area.

Detective Letha DeCaires of CrimeStoppers said yesterday that residents can take simple steps to make their homes more intruder-proof, including securing louvers with special glue or clips.

"Burglars like to enter through louver windows that are not fully attached," DeCaires said. "If the louvers are in place, it makes it more difficult and makes more noise. Burglars don't want to make more noise."

She also said motion detectors on back doors or at windows can be a big deterrent for burglars. Homeowners can also invest in an alarm system, she said.

Lastly, neighbors should call 911 if they suspect anything is wrong. "Being a good neighbor will help," DeCaires said. "Police officers need the eyes and ears of the community."

Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers