It seems to be a great time for serial criminals in Austin — not so much for their victims. So, instead of letting horrific acts like the rock throwing incidents and the sexual assaults continue unabated, Austinites are beginning to take matters into their own hands.
Earlier this week we reported on two anonymous donors who have helped grow the reward for the capture of the I-35 rock thrower to $25,000. Unfortunately, however, that’s not the only case that is greatly impacting our community that has sat unsolved by the Austin Police Department. KXAN reported recently that police now believe that the sexual assaults that have been reported in north and northwest Austin are linked to assault cases in east and southeast Austin. If that assertion is correct, that brings the total to 15 cases that have gotten progressively more bold and aggressive since November 2015.
From KXAN:
The general description of the suspect is that he’s a white or Hispanic man. He has short brown or black hair, dark eyes and is estimated to be in his 20s. Some victims have given his height as somewhere between 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 9 inches. The man is roughly 155 pounds. Austin police made it a point earlier this year to say the suspect did speak English.
It is common for the suspect to wear a hoodie and either a face mask or bandana to cover the lower part of his face. If he’s not wearing a hoodie, police say he usually wears dark, long-sleeved shirts or jackets.
While APD is actively investigating the case and encourages anyone who may have been a victim of this man to be sure to report their attack, it’s unfortunately still very important for women to do what they can to protect themselves. One Wimberley woman, after her own experience with an attacker on the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail, has created a way for women to protect themselves while they’re out for a run.
What originally began with a small knife sewn into the sheath of the cleavage area of her sports bra eventually became the “Just in Case” sports bra, a garment that she patented and is now being manufactured at White Star Manufacturing in Austin. The variations of the bra can hold different weapons including a three inch knife, stun gun, pepper spray, or alarm.
The Just in Case bra costs $50 and is part of the overall Booby Trap Bra family which also sells pepper spray, workout clothes, and the knives that fit into the bra. Not only does the placement on the bra allow the wearer to have their hands free to exercise, but it also makes the weapon easily accessible if the time ever comes that it’s needed.
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Featured image courtesy of Pexels
H/T KEYETV
