New low in criminal activity


Published/Last Modified on Monday, January 18, 2010 8:56 AM CST


There’s a disturbing report detailed on today’s front page that may indicate just how bold some of the criminals in Washington Parish are getting.

The incident happened in Franklinton last week, when an elderly woman was arriving home and was surprised by a home invader. Her attacker approached her from behind, blindfolded her and tied her up with duct tape. She never even saw his face.

Luckily, the woman was not physically injured in the incident, but the mental anguish such an act can bring may stick with the victim forever.

Advertisement
According to police, her attacker used hacksaws and hammers to break into her home and then lied in wait for the woman to return home.

Whether he worked alone or with others is still being investigated, but he obviously planned out his attack carefully, bringing a variety of tools and forcing the bound and blindfolded woman to reveal the personal information number to her debit card. He also ransacked her home.

While we can all breathe a sigh of relief that the woman made it out alive, it represents a new low in the criminal activity of Washington Parish.

Sure, there have been cases of home invasions in the parish for the past couple of years, such as the three teenagers who stole a Bogalusa man’s pickup truck a few months ago. But the planning that went into last week’s case in Franklinton seems downright frightening.

Perhaps the attacker is not from the parish, and was just “passing through” when he committed the crime. But chances are he knew exactly who he was attacking, and had planned it for some time. That would indicate he is a local.

People should not have to feel scared in their own homes, but it is criminals like this attacker that make people nervous.

Everyone can help by being mindful of their surroundings and reporting suspicious activity to police.

And the time has come, unfortunately, when every family should discuss a plan for home protection. No, we’re not saying every family should go out and buy a gun or home security system.

But discussing the possibilities of what a criminal may do — and having a plan in place to prevent it — is a good idea nowadays.

 

Copyright © 2010 Daily News

Comments

    Edmond Chandler wrote on Jan 25, 2010 10:52 AM:

    " When I was in the U. S. Army, "problem" people like this man were taken for a "HIKE... in the woods and allowed to FALL IN A HOLE... when and if they recovered, they were transferred from the hospital to a military prison.

    NOBODY ever SAW these men FALL... so without witnesses, justice was done ... and many "soldiers" learned a lesson from these unofficial "corrective measures"...

    We need a zero tolerance for crime! Criminals laugh at our criminal justice system today.

    I support the right to bear arms! But, as we were taught in the military, SHOOT TO KILL, if you shoot.

    Get training in "how to use a gun" then get a gun... "

    jj wrote on Jan 22, 2010 6:26 PM:

    " they shoot creatures like this in other countries. we are too easy on filth like this.

    I agree with marcus and armed citizen. "

    What the Heck wrote on Jan 21, 2010 8:05 AM:

    " I agree with you D. "

    Armed citizen wrote on Jan 20, 2010 12:34 PM:

    " Maybe the next victim will hear him coming and blow him away. I would love to read about that on the front page. "

    D wrote on Jan 20, 2010 9:33 AM:

    " To Why-Me " A person of that age should not live alone." You cannot make such a broad, general statement. Many elderly people live alone by choice, they want to maintain their independence as long as they can and not be a burden to their children and/or other family members. How do you know they weren't taking care of her? The fault lies clearly and only with the creeps that violated her and her home. My prayers are with her. "

    Why - Me wrote on Jan 19, 2010 2:26 AM:

    " A person of that age should not live alone. No one heard anything? Poor neighbor hood watch.9 out of 10 times they Had to be some one who knew her. Her Family should take better care of her. thank God she is safe. My prayers are with her. "

    marcus wrote on Jan 18, 2010 4:44 PM:

    " These aminals have no respect for human life, or diginity. "

Write a Comment

Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All readers comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The Daily News is not liable for messages from third parties.



DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.

Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in gobogalusa.com's reader comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of the Daily News. The Daily News does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized Daily News spokespersons.

Thank you for your comments!

(optional)
Current Word Count:
   

Multimedia


Raw video: Cold weather in Bogalusa

Cold weather from an arctic blast continued to chill Washington Parish Friday, Jan. 8, with temperatures in the 20s. The night low was expected to be about 15 degrees. Schools were also closed on Friday.


Click here for all videos

Contact Us




Make Us Your Homepage

Advertisement