The Bell County sheriff's office contacted a Ranger on Wednesday, after learning a woman in her late 70s was attacked in her home outside of Marlin early Saturday morning.
In the event of another attack, investigators hope Texas Rangers can help law enforcement agencies get in touch with each other sooner.
Investigator James Lewing said the Bell County sheriff's office did not learn about the Marlin attack until Wednesday.
The details in the Marlin area attack are similar to two home invasion incidents in the Zabcikville area in August and September.
The woman lived near Texas 7 between Marlin and Kosse. In Bell County, the women attacked lived in a rural area near Texas 53.
"We're looking at it," Lewing said about the Saturday incident. "It's being considered, but there are no definite links."
The details in the cases are similar to four other home invasions this year in Lavaca and Leon counties. In Leon County a 77-year-old woman was raped in July and an 80-year-old woman in September.
Authorities say DNA evidence linked at least one of the Lavaca County attacks with a Leon County attack.
Bell County officials are communicating with the other agencies but stop short of affirming the crimes are all linked.
"There is no DNA match to say they are 100 percent connected," Lewing said. "We're not at that point."
DNA has helped investigators eliminate potential suspects living in Bell County and other counties but has not helped them pinpoint a suspect, Lewing said.
Bell County investigators have been careful with the information released through the sheriff's office because there are indications that the person involved in the crimes here desires publicity and there is a concern that giving it to him could cause him to strike again, Lewing said.
"We don't want to feed this person," he said.
A description of what the assailant might look like still has not been released, although Bell County investigators believe the suspect is a white male.
In Leon County, investigators believe their suspect is shorter than 6 feet tall.
In all cases the women lived alone in rural communities.
The latest incident here happened a little over 24 hours after sheriff officials held a town hall meeting to share information and try to alleviate concerns of residents.
Anybody with information that could benefit the investigation may contact the sheriff's office at 933-5539 to leave a message or 933-5412 to speak with an investigator.
