The investigation into the sexual assault of an 81-year-old woman at Chauncey Apartments remains "open."

Capt. Curt Rude of the Austin Police Department said today, "We're following up all leads we have received from the public and it remains an open investigation."

The attack occurred early Thursday morning, Nov. 21. A man walked from window to window on the lower level of apartment complex until he came to an unlocked window, according to police reports. Then, he crept inside and attacked the woman, who lived alone, in her bedroom, according to police.

After the attack, the man left the apartment building and the victim telephoned police.

According to the police captain, detectives are using forensic evidence recovered at the scene in their investigation.

The woman has not wavered from her initial description of a white male suspect in his 20s.

"We're looking at some suspects and eliminating some suspects," Rude said, "until we're ready to pounce fairly quickly on the right suspect."

Burglaries 'solved'

ELKTON -- The Mower County Sheriff's Department believes it has solved a series of burglaries in the Dexter, Elkton and Adams area.

A deputy, on routine patrol early Monday, spotted a vehicle driving through Elkton without headlines and no front or rear license plates.

When the deputy pursued the vehicle, the SUV took off at a high rate of speed. The SUV went out of control on 210th Street (a township gravel road) and rolled over into a ditch.

One individual was captured at the scene, while the two other individuals were tracked by Deputy Jeff Ellis and his canine partner, Tazer. They were both captured hiding in roadside ditches near the scene.

Two 17-year-old males and an 18-year-old male, all from Byron, are being held.

Sheriff Barry J. Simonson, told reporters today, "We believe we have solved the burglaries in the area."

Charges of fleeing a police officer, possession of burglary tools, reckless driving and conspiracy to commit burglary will be filed today in Mower County Third Judicial District Court, according to Simonson.

The 18-year-old remains in the Mower County Jail. The two 17-year-old suspects were transported to the Many Rivers Juvenile Detention Center at Rochester.

Lee Bonorden can be reached at 434-2232 or by e-mail mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com