[Bloody Sam Roberts]

The inference was that the invaders and the homeowner knew each other

That's not how I read it at all.

To me, the inference was that in most home invasion cases, the invaders know or have met their intended victims.
"Random home robberies are unusual, (Police Sgt.) Merritt said." That is a statment of fact.

[CRBDeuce]

“’Random home robberies are unusual,’ (Police Sgt.) Merritt said. That is a statment of fact.”

meaning, else otherwise how could illegal aliens afford to take those low paying landscaping service jobs that Americans just won’t do?