Sheriff to hold public meeting on rapist who targets elderly women

CENTERVILLE, Texas -- A suspected serial rapist is sought after eight elderly women were targeted in their homes in four Texas counties.

The Leon County Sheriff’s Department will hold a public meeting Monday night in Centerville.

Chief Deputy Brent Walter on Wednesday told The Associated Press that eight cases have been reported since January, with women ages 75 to 92. Walter says the meeting is meant to "put a few rumors to rest."

Walter says the suspect left behind DNA in Lavaca, Leon and Bell counties. Falls County also had reports of the serial rapist.

Walter says a woman escaped unharmed Saturday in Centerville when she pulled a gun on the intruder. The weapon failed to fire and he fled.

Items were stolen in all eight cases. Walter says three, possibly four of the women, were sexually assaulted.