Oxnard Residents On Alert Following Sexual Assault, Burglary
OXNARD (CBS) — A predator was being sought Monday night in Oxnard after a man broke into a home and sexually assaulted a woman.
"We just have to lock our doors," said Amanda Flore, who along with her family woke up to the burglary and assault next door to her home on Saviers Road.
Flore said that she could not imagine this happening right next to where she lives.
"I was very surprised," she said. "I lock my window now."
A man broke into her neighbor's home through an unlocked, ground floor window, according to police.
The 25-year-old victim was sleeping and awoke to find a man inside her bedroom, sexually assaulting her, police said.
Investigators said that the victim, who lives with relatives, screamed, prompting the suspect to run off.
"We feel afraid for the time I leave – 5:30 in the morning," a neighbor said.
Police detectives alerted the neighborhood Monday night by canvassing the area and talking with witnesses.
"Have a discussion with all of your family members to make sure they're aware of what's going on. We're having additional patrols," said Oxnard Police Commander Ron Whitney.
He said the victim did not know the suspect and that he was not armed.
But with no arrest yet, the concern is the attacker's behavior could escalate becoming more bold and violent.
"We want to be able to catch this person before… obviously we don't want anyone else to get hurt," Whitney said.
The safety alert had Oxnard residents keeping vigilant in and around their home.
"Make sure my windows and doors are locked," a resident said.
