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| Police sketch of the "sleep watcher." |
Shannon Zimmerman has some advice for her fellow students: lock your doors.
Over the past year, police say there have been 15 reports of a man breaking into the residences of young women living in Halifax’s south end to watch them sleep. In many cases, the intruder—alternately dubbed the “sleep watcher,” “night watcher” and the “bedroom bandit” by the Halifax media—has targeted Dalhousie students.
The last incident occurred early Friday morning. Police were called to an apartment at the corner of College and Robie streets at four in the morning after a 20-year-old woman awoke to find a man in her bedroom. A man was arrested a short distance away, but was later released from custody.
Most incidents have taken place in the area bordered by Coburg, Oxford, Quinpool and Robie streets.
“This is a crime of opportunity and we need to make sure he doesn’t have that opportunity anymore,” says Ms. Zimmerman, president of the Dal Students Union.
No one has been hurt in any of the reported incidents, but police expressed fears that the sleep watcher’s behaviour could escalate. In two recent cases, he touched one woman and pulled back the sheets from another.
“It’s a creepy crime and that’s what makes students so nervous,” says Ms. Zimmerman.
Since April 2008, police have issued several warnings about the intruder, reminding people to keep their doors and windows locked, especially at night. Dalhousie has also issued six security bulletins about the crimes.
Constable Brian Palmeter, public information officer for the Halifax Regional Police, expresses some frustration that the message to lock up at night is being disregarded. He also urges people to report suspicious behavior by anyone matching the description of the sleep watcher.
“Despite all the warnings, people are still not keeping their residences secure,” he says. “The simple practice of ensuring your door is locked appears to be enough of a deterrent. There have been no cases of forced entry.”
A police sketch was released last Thursday showing a “fairly generic guy,” says Constable Palmeter; the sketch shows a clean-shaven man with a somewhat long face, high forehead, pockmarked cheeks and short, spiky hair. He is described as a white male, five feet 11 inches in height, between 19 to 25 years of age, with an average build.
“Dal students need to take caution and be alert,” adds Ms. Zimmerman. “When you’re leaving the library or the computer science building or the SUB, keep a look out. Watch who is near you. And lock your doors, especially before bed.”
Police reportsThe Halifax Regional Police Department (490-5016) makes reports public on its website. Below are the posted reports of similar incidents from the past 12 months, listed in reverse chronological order. Sept. 18, 2009: Halifax Regional Police has a person in custody following another break and enter in the city’s south end. At 4:19 a.m. this morning, police were called to the 5900 block of College Street after a 20-year-old woman woke up and discovered a man in her bedroom. When the suspect realized the victim was awake, he ran out of the house. The victim was able to provide a good description of the intruder and 13 minutes later police arrested a man on Carlton Street matching the description. The woman was understandably shaken by the incident but thankfully was not injured. The investigation is in its early stages and investigators are currently interviewing the suspect. At this time no decision on charges has been made. Sept. 12, 2009: Break and Enter - At 4:40 a.m. police were called to a residence in the 1700 block of Henry Street, Halifax, regarding a break and enter. Upon arrival, officers learned that a male suspect had entered the bedroom of one of the female residents while she was sleeping. The victim awoke causing the suspect to flee the scene on foot. A K9 unit and patrol officers searched for the suspect with negative results. The matter is being investigated by the General Investigative Section. August 3, 2009: Break and Enter - Just before 4:30 a.m. a 19-year-old woman asleep in her apartment in the 1500 block of Larch Street in Halifax, awoke to find a male standing in her bedroom. She screamed and chased him from her home. She described the suspect as a white male in his early 20s, about 5'8" tall with a medium build. He was wearing a grey sweater, possibly a hoodie, with darker grey horizontal stripes across the front. It appears the suspect entered the residence through an unlocked door. July 4, 2009: Break & Enter/Suspicious Circumstances - At 2:21 a.m. a woman living in the 6000 block of South Street, Halifax, awoke to find an unknown man at the foot of her bed. The man brushed his hand against her leg before fleeing the apartment. The suspect was described as a man, 5'11" tall, with an athletic build. A K-9 unit attempted a track with negative results. It is not known if this is related to any other incidents. The matter is being followed up by the General Investigative Section. Sept. 27, 2008: Break and Enter - At 4:41 a.m. in the 1500 block of Walnut Street, Halifax, a woman awoke to find a man standing over her as she lay in bed. The victim yelled at the suspect who ran from the building. The suspect is described as a white male, 19-20-years-old, average build, wearing blue jeans and a black shirt. Entry was gained through an unlocked door. Residents should ensure that doors and windows are secured before they retire for the night. |