Law enforcement officials suspect a home invasion in Leon County is connected to a serial rapist who has been terrorizing elderly women in rural areas of Texas for months.
On Saturday, police say a man broke into the home of an 81-year-old woman.
The woman had a handgun and managed to fire several shots, scaring the man away.
The burglar got away with some cash and other items, but the woman was not hurt.
Investigators believe this incident may be connected to a series of sexual assaults on elderly women across four Central Texas counties, including Bell County.
At least seven women have been attacked since January.
All are over 60, widows and live alone in rural areas.
Leon County Sheriff Jerry Wakefield said since all the attacks happened in total darkness, none of the victims have been able to give a description of their attacker.