The 34-year-old woman told police that she fought off the attacker about 10:20 p.m. She said the man, who had a knife, entered through an unlocked door. She said she feared for her life and fought him off until he left without causing “any serious physical injuries to the victim,” according to a police department news release.

The victim, who didn’t want her identity revealed, told a reporter that she was able to defend herself with her bare hands, and by kicking the man in the groin.

“Wow, that's scary,” said Cory Preiser, a resident of Lakeshore Apartments.

Preiser wasn’t aware of the details of the crime until a reporter told her. She’s already changed her behavior.

“At night, I go out and usually take my dog this way and I don't lock the door. And I take him out back by those people's apartment because I want to see my door when I go outside,” she said.

It’s the little things that police say matter.

“We are no longer in the day and age where we can leave our door unlocked or leave windows open,” said Officer Grant Story, a spokesman for the police department.

Preiser really isn’t surprised. A growing city, after all, means growing problems that don’t have geographic boundaries.

“People are kind of moving from the north side to this side, and it's everywhere,” she said.

The Lakeshore Apartment complex is at 3660 S. Cox Road. In its letter to residents, Greystar Real Estate Partners, the apartment manager, offered to install additional locks "at cost" if residents request it. The letter also warns residents to take extra precautions when walking around the complex, and to make sure doors, windows and screens are locked whenever they're inside or when they leave.

Police say they’re “actively working on all available leads.” They ask witnesses or anyone who knows something about the crime to call (417) 864-1810 or to make an anonymous Crime Stoppers report at 869-TIPS. Information that leads to an arrest and conviction is eligible for a cash reward for the tipster.