Two 10-year-old California girls fight off naked intruder who broke into their bedroom during sleepover
Two 10-year-old girls in California have been commended for fending off a naked intruder who broke into their apartment when they were having a sleepover in their bedroom.
On May 12, law enforcement authorities in Clovis, California, received a 911 call reporting that a man had broken into a house through a window. According to the Clovis Police Department, the girls "awoke to the man touching them inappropriately and fought him off" before he left through the window. The girls then told adults at the residence what happened, according to an ABC News report.
Police were able to locate the suspect after speaking with several witnesses during their investigation and using a California Highway Patrol airplane to pinpoint his whereabouts. Three days later, on May 15, 26-year-old Timothy Picard was arrested on charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14, first-degree burglary, as well as violating his existing probation.
Addressing a news conference on May 23, Clovis Police Chief Matt Basgall said, "This type of case is just so rare to see happen, but at the same time, it’s just amazing to think that there are actually people out there that we have to worry about breaking into the homes and assaulting 10-year-old girls."
According to Basgall, Picard was previously arrested for stalking and burglary. He was on probation for a stalking arrest in 2017. "The fact that this guy is on probation for doing something similar kind of makes your blood boil as both a parent and in law enforcement," Basgall said and added, "It's sad to see, and at some point, we have to figure out a way to not let people like this out on the streets."
Basgall said while Picard was familiar with the area where the incident took place, he did not know the girls. Authorities are yet to determine if he was under the influence when he broke into the girls' bedroom as he was arrested three days after it happened.
Meanwhile, police commended the girls for "their bravery and quick action in fighting off the attacker." According to Basgall, the two friends were having a sleepover at the time. "These two little girls are heroes. They did everything right," Basgall said.
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