The Legends subdivision
THE COLONY — "Lock your doors." How many of us take that advice for granted?
A prowler is preying on families in Denton County. Time and time again, neighbors tell us he's walked into unlocked homes.
People living in The Legends neighborhood are on edge. One victim managed to get a shot off at the suspect.
They’re worried after a series of crimes have been linked. This isn't a burglar or a vandal... it's a prowler.
Police say a man slipped into several homes, most recently on Saturday.
Erin Bardin lives a few doors down from the latest crime. She said it rattled her sense of security.
"Today, we went for a walk with the kids around the block. I used to maybe leave the door open," she said. "But now, the keys are always in my pocket. Garages come down right when I leave. There's never anything unlocked any more."
Other neighbors have had close calls with the man they believe to be the prowler. In September, a homeowner who spotted a man in his backyard told his wife to call 911 and fired a shot in the direction of the suspect, who jumped the fence and ran off.
Brittany Belcher believes a man fitting the prowler's description followed her up her sidewalk as she came home.
"I'm kind of scared to go out of my own home," she said. "I'm scared for other people. He's causing trouble."
Police are working the cases as if it's the same person who is responsible. They're warning residents to lock their doors and their vehicles.
"We're definitely careless," Bardin said. "You might think that your husband locked it or assume someone else has locked the door and not double-checked. I think now we're all double-checking, and keeping the doors locked during the day when we may have been more careless or carefree."
Homeowners told News 8 they are on edge, adding they won't feel secure again until this mysterious prowler is off the streets and behind bars.
E-mail sstoler@wfaa.com
