FAYETTEVILLE, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Fayetteville Police are on the lookout for a thief whose modus operandi is to strike in the middle of the night while victims are sleeping.
It has the quiet, mostly retired community in the Fenwyck subdivision on high alert.
On Saturday, Feb. 23, the burglar targeted nine homes from 5 to 7 a.m. according to Fayetteville Police Detective Mike Whitlow.
"It is more concerning to think they knew people were going to be in their houses sleeping," Penny Anderson said. Anderson is on the neighborhood Homeowner's Association Board.
"I think maybe they think we are more easy prey because of the fact we are older or sleep harder," Anderson said. "They got to remember older people wake up early and don't sleep as long as others do."
The association sent out a letter warning other residents of the recent crimes.
Many residents have already taken the warnings seriously, and purchased alarm systems, motion detectors, and in some cases fire-arms.
"We do have a gun. We keep it beside the bed. I never have fired it but I intend to go somewhere and learn how to shoot," resident Martha Segars said. "I don't want to have to go to bed at night and be worried about someone coming in. We've already had extra flood lights put on and having a burglar alarm put in and that is something I didn't want to have to do but it is scary."
In most of the break-ins, the criminals used screened-in porches to avoid detection.
Police said out of the nine break-ins, the burglar only made it into two homes, and only one victim had money stolen.
"The homeowners are willing to protect themselves, a lot of them are prepared to protect themselves and whoever is doing this needs to know they are going to get hurt," resident Carolyn Reagan said.
Reagan is the homeowner association president and has been giving advice to her neighbors.
"Make sure doors are locked, windows are locked, and know what it takes to protect yourself and have a plan," Reagan said. "If your alarm goes off, what are you going to do? Don't wait until it goes off to figure it out, and call 911."
The neighborhood plans to hold a meeting with police on Tuesday to talk about any updates.
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