Twin Falls Police

A woman attacked inside her Twin Falls home was able to provide enough information to police for them to develop this composite sketch of the suspect.

TWIN FALLS -- Twin Fall Police are investigating to recent reports of sexual assault in the same residential area.

The first incident was reported on the evening of April 13.

The victim told officers a man approached her outside her home in the 100 Block of Fillmore Street as she arrived home from work.

The man began asking her questions, followed her up to the front door, and then forced his way inside the house.

Once inside, he proceeded to sexually assault the woman.

On Thursday, a similar incident was reported to police that allegedly occurred during the evening hours on Feb. 29, 2008.

The victim said she was awakened in her home, located on the 600 Block of Shoup Avenue, by a man and sexually assaulted.

Investigators have not yet determined if these two cases are connected.

Since learning of these crimes, hundreds of homes have been canvassed by officers and volunteers to get information out to the involved neighborhoods.

Police say Twin Falls residents are encouraged to:

- Keep entrances to your home well lit. If normal lighting is not functioning in an entryway, approach with extreme caution. It is not uncommon for a criminal to remove, unscrew, or break bulbs in entryways.

- Check the identification of any sales or service persons before letting them in. Ask for a photo ID. If you have any doubts, phone the company for verification.

- Equip your home with peepholes, dead bolts, and chain locks. If you have a child, add a second peephole at their eye level.

- Never give the impression that you are at home alone if strangers telephone or come to your door. Advise your children to do the same.

- Keep outside bushes and shrubbery trimmed. Overgrown bushes and trees often provide excellent hiding places for criminals.

- Plant defensive shrubbery around your home, especially beneath windows. Bushes that feature thorns, such as roses or stiff, spiky leaves are not good hiding places for criminals.

- If you come home and find a door or window open or signs of forced entry, do not go in. Go to the nearest phone and call our Department immediately.

Anyone with further information about these cases is urged to call the Twin Falls Police Department at (208) 735-4357.