Yet another local example of another lure, the “Jobs Lure” in which victims are lured by the promise of jobs or services to remoteor isolated locations at odd hours (in this case the spa/salon afterhours).  The lure of a free massage also speaks to the “Bribery Lure” as well.  Being the spa/salon owner also speaks to the “Authority Lure” which can also apply to those in positions of authority who misuse that authority to gain access to would-be victims.  Thanks again to the local NBC affilate for covering this story.  You guys are on the ball!

SPA OWNER ARRESTED, CHARGED WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT

A salon and spa owner accused of taking advantage of a woman during a free massage session was arrested Thursday and charged with sexual assault, Little Elm police said.

The owner of Juliet Salon and Spa, was arrested after being indicted on suspicion of sexual assault, Asst. Chief Ric Sadler said.   

“(The) Little Elm Police Department was made aware of an alleged sexual assault that had occurred when an individual offered free massage services to a female,” he said.

Workers at the salon in Little Elm said they were shocked to see police take Antonelli away in handcuffs.  

Spa Owner Accused of Sexually Assaulting Woman

WATCH

“We’ve known for a few months about these allegations, but I mean, even last week, I kept sitting there thinking, ‘No it can’t be right,’” one worker said.

Investigators said the owner inappropriately touched a woman after offering her a free massage after the business hours. 

“He said that he was working towards a massage license or certification and that he needed to practice the craft,” Sadler said.

The worker quoted above said she has never seen the owner give any kind of treatment offered at the salon.

Police said they are interested in hearing from other women who may have received a massage from the owner at his business.

The owner bonded out of jail Thursday, but could not be reached for comment.

Below is a shortened version of a local NBC news story from this week.  It is a text book example of both the “assistance lure” as the man/attacker offered the jogger his help, and the “authority lure” as he pretended via signage on his truck to be a city employee.  Unfortunately it is that simple sometimes to gain people’s trust.  But of particular note is the woman’s mention of “Something wasn’t right” which facilitated her escape.  Read on…

Police said a man attacked a woman during her afternoon jog Tuesday.

It happened at about 1:30 p.m. along Roselawn Drive.

“We don’t know if he was trying to sexually assault her or kidnap her,” Officer Ryan Grelle said. “We don’t know what his intentions were.”

Police said the man pulled up next to the woman when she stopped to catch her breath and asked if she was OK (Assistance Lure). Investigators said the woman felt like something wasn’t right (Great work on tapping into her instinct) and started to jog off.

“He grabbed her by the head - she had a headband on - and he pulled the headband off,” Grelle said.

Police said the woman had to punch the man in the face in order to get away.

Denton police said they are hoping someone can lead them to the white truck the man was driving.  According to the victim and several witnesses, the truck had the words “Denton Services” in stick-on letters on the door (Authority Lure).

“We don’t think it was a real city truck,” Grelle said.  “We don’t know of any Denton Services around here.”

 

Click here to view story

Registered sex offender, Anthony Sowell, elluded the attention of probation officers and others during the last several years he preyed upon women in his area and even neighborhood.  Striking similarities to the crimes of John Wayne Gacey years ago, Sowell lured women to his home where he raped and murdered them.  Some were even buried under the house, again calling back memories of the 33 young boys who Gacey murdered years ago.

Fortunately for one woman who escaped and went to local law-enforcement, she was not only the “one who got away” but consequently the one responsible for law-enforcement entering Sowell’s home to discover the gruesome crime scene.

Nothing was really on the radar of local neighbors as to Sowell’s activities, he lived alone and was a loner by all standards.  While he was on probation, there was no “probable cause” for law-enforcement to enter his home until last week when the one intended rape victim escaped his home and reported the incident.

Again, this goes back to basic instincts and training.  You can never take your safety for granted, even in your own neighborhood.  While it may not be a neighbor, it could still easily be someone you know, just as Anne Li knew her murderer several months ago on the Yale University campus.  At home, on the job, on the go, personal awarness and safety must me a 24/7 and 360 degree mindset or it doesn’t work at all.  The minute we compartmentalize “where” we need to be safe (i.e. on campus, shopping mall parking garage, etc) we lose sight of all the other places we frequent where we can just as easily be lured or attacked (concerts, sporting events, churches, schools, etc).  This is not a life of paranoia, but one of awareness.

Did Sowell use the bribery lure, the assistance lure, the love/affection lure, the jobs lure, etc?  We may never know, but certainly it would seem that every victim at least willing went into his home, so some form of enticement was obviously at work in these cases.

How many other homes are there in the U.S. like Anthony Sewell’s who have yet to be discovered?  It is not a thought we wish to really entertain, but one thing is for sure — we never wish to be found (or have a loved one found) in such a home.   That means we don’t take our personal safety for granted.  BE MORE AWARE!

Jeff McKissack