MADINAH, 20 January 2006 — Madinah police intensified their search yesterday for a serial burglar who has put area residents on edge, especially after his latest break-in on Wednesday included an attempted rape. The criminal stakes out apartments and houses to rob when residents are away, but this time he caught a woman at home alone. Police have distributed a description of the criminal suspect.
The woman told the Al-Madinah newspaper that she sent her maid to the local market to buy some goods. The doorbell rang and she thought that it was the maid. When she opened the door, she saw a man of average height and weight with a small mustache. She attempted to close the door quickly but the criminal broke into and tried to rape her, threatening her with a knife. The woman fought back and called for help. The assailant fled the scene. She suffered minor injures.
Police gathered evidence and interviewed eyewitnesses. They have deputed undercover police officers in the area in an attempt to catch the criminal. Madinah police chief Gen. Ahmad Al-Raddadi criticized rumors that is scaring local residents. He said that it is a matter of days before the criminal is apprehended.
News of this criminal has frightened Madinah residents. Many fear that their house might be the next target. Sales of door locks have increased. Apartment buildings have hired night watchmen. Madinah resident Saleem Ali told Arab News that he trusts that police will hunt down the criminal, nevertheless he fears that his house might be next. “I cannot stop the fear inside of me because when I leave to work, I leave my wife alone in the house. I call my wife from work every hour to make sure that she is safe. I will feel a lot better if the man is arrested,” said Ali.
