As Gilroy police search for the man who allegedly sexually
assaulted and robbed an 85-year-old woman Monday in her apartment
at Wheeler Manor, the management and residents of the senior
independent living center are debating how to strike the balance
between security and independence.
GILROY – As Gilroy police search for the man who allegedly sexually assaulted and robbed an 85-year-old woman Monday in her apartment at Wheeler Manor, the management and residents of the senior independent living center are debating how to strike the balance between security and independence.
Police have released a composite sketch of the man believed to have entered the complex at 651 W. Sixth St. disguised as a repairman. He tried to open several doors before entering the unlocked third-floor apartment of the woman he assaulted around 8 p.m., according to Wheeler residents. Investigators said Thursday they are “optimistic” about one lead in the case and they’re checking on a potential suspect.
“We have a hunch, and we’re optimistic it will turn out right,” said Gilroy Police Department Detective John Marfia.
The subject of that lead does not appear to have a prior history of similar crimes, Marfia said. But investigators have also sent the sketch and a summary of the crime to authorities around the state, and have received a few calls from other departments to discuss possible links to crimes in their communities.
“We’re leaving no rock unturned,” Marfia said.
The victim of the crime is now staying with her family, said Dennis Lalor, executive director of South County Housing, which operates the complex.
“It’s our understanding she’s well – as well as anybody can be in such a circumstance,” Lalor said.
South County Housing officials, Gilroy Police and counselors from Community Solutions held a series of meetings Wednesday with residents to discuss the crime and the security at the 110-unit apartment complex, which houses approximately 140 residents.
“We’re working in-house and with residents to see what other security needs we might have,” Lalor said. “Our time until now has been looking to take care of the physical and mental well-being of the tenants. We’re getting a handle on that and addressing what our future needs are.”
Wheeler managers said the front doors of the three-story complex are usually locked by the resident manager from roughly 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. when front-desk staff have left for the night.
Entering the building during that time requires a key or a resident to buzz a visitor in, while daytime visitors are expected to check in with front-desk staff before proceeding onward in the building.
Numerous side doors always remain locked. Individual units are also equipped with heavy-duty locks and emergency “pull strings” to alert paramedics to medical emergencies.
But residents said they often leave their unit doors unlocked, let in people they don’t know and give extra keys to side doors to their family members. Side doors are sometimes found propped open, they said.
One resident, who wished to remain unnamed, said she’s heard accounts from other residents about people sleeping in the stairwells and items being taken from individual rooms. She felt responses to the complaints from staff – such as installing video cameras – could have been more aggressive in the past.
“I was happy with it (here) and still am, and it’s too bad this had to happen,” she said. “But I get kind of disappointed they didn’t take care of this.”
But another resident, who also wished to remain unnamed, said she was happy with security. She said Monday’s event is a “wake-up call” for residents who need to ensure doors are locked and stay alert.
“I don’t ever see how we could perfect the whole thing,” she said. “We have to take it upon ourselves to keep ourselves safe.”
So far, managers have hired a security guard to patrol the complex during the evenings. No decisions have been made on additional security measures yet, Lalor said, but he said that discussion will require balance.
“Seniors are very independent here and active, and that needs to be considered,” he said. “But the safety of the entire community needs to be considered.”
The suspect is described as a man in his 30s, either Caucasian or Latino and light-skinned. He has dark hair, a goatee, no mustache and was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and light-colored pants, according to police. Anyone with information is asked to call Gilroy Police Detective John Marfia at (408) 846-0350.
Gilroy Dispatch reporter Zeb Carabello contributed to this report.
