(October 15, 2009)—While investigators in Bell, Falls and Leon Counties compare, the Texas Rangers have joined the investigation of a series of home invasions in which elderly women were sexually assaulted.

The most recent attack was Saturday in Falls County, where a man forced his way into a home on Highway 7 outside of Marlin and sexually assaulted the 80-year-old woman who lived there.

The attacker took several items from the home before fleeing, the Falls County Sheriff’s Office said.

The victim was taken to the hospital by private vehicle.

The attack was similar to earlier home invasions in Bell and Leon Counties.

Leon County investigators went to Falls County Wednesday evening to examine the house where the attack occurred.

Leon County investigator Victor Smith said the crime is too similar not to consider the possibility that it’s linked to the earlier attacks, but he cautioned that investigators can't officially confirm a connection until evidence including DNA is processed.

He said the similarities include the fact the Falls County woman lived along a major highway and that her house was broken into a few months ago, which is something investigators have said has happened in a few of the cases.

Bell County sheriff’s investigator Jim Lewing said that as these seemingly-connected crimes spread to another county, the Texas Rangers have been brought in to help coordinate between the three county sheriff's offices.