Woman sexually assaulted during home invasion
BY PETER A. SUTTERS JR. INDEPENDENT WRITER

A woman was sexually assaulted in the early morning hours Sunday, when a man entered her mid-island residence through an unlocked door.

A press release from the Nantucket Police Department says the man overpowered the woman before fleeing the home around 5:45 a.m. on Sunday. She was able to call police to report the incident.

The release does not give an exact address where the assault took place or description of the suspect.

The incident is the second home invasion and sexual assault in a little over three months in the mid-island area.

Lieutenant Jerry Adams had no comment on the possibility of the two cases being connected.

During the July 5 incident, a man entered a Bartlett Road residence and sexually assaulted a woman at knifepoint while she was tied up.

No arrest was made in that incident, but police did release a description of the suspect at the time, describing him as black, 5'8" tall with a thin build.

Adams said there were steps people, especially women, should take to protect themselves, starting by locking doors and windows at all times. Adams also suggested installing outdoor lighting with motion detectors and keeping a fully charged cell phone at hand.

"Don't be shy about calling us if you hear or see something that doesn't seem right," said Adams.

Kat Robinson-Grieder, the executive director of A Safe Place, said they also suggest women take proactive steps to protect themselves, but also said her organization was available should an incident like this happen to anyone.

" Our services are free and confidential and we are available 24 hours a day," said Robinson-Grieider.

Anyone with information on either case is asked to call the Nantucket Police Department at 508-228-3626. I