PONTIAC (WWJ) — Police believe an early morning home invasion in Pontiac earlier this week is connected to several other home invasions carried out by a suspect who they say is targeting young girls in the city.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is using the latest incident to remind the public to keep their doors and windows locked.
The string of four incidents, which authorities believe are tied together, date back to at least Dec. 23. The sheriff’s office says investigators are looking into several other cases that could be related, though no dates or locations of those incidents have been released.
The latest home invasion happened around 4 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3 in the 100 block of N. Anderson Street, according to the sheriff’s office. Authorities say a man wearing a ski mask and armed with a knife choked a 10-year-old girl who had been sleeping.
The suspect was “apparently frightened off by the girl’s screams” and fled. The girl’s mother saw the suspect, wearing all black clothing, running down the stairs and out of the home, the sheriff’s office said.
Authorities say it appeared the suspect entered the home through an unlocked kitchen window.
The girl was not injured.
Detectives say the three other attempted or successful home invasions “ have similarities in method, targeted area and description of the suspect.” All four incidents happened between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. on Dec. 23, Jan. 25, Jan. 26 and on Tuesday.
The homes were in the 600 block of Northway, 100 block of N. Edith, 100 block of N. Marshall as well as the North Anderson Street address from Tuesday’s incident.
In each instance, authorities say a lone suspect entered the home or tried to get in using an unlocked window. The suspect was said to be armed with a knife in three of the incidents.
The suspect appeared to target homes with teenage/adolescent females, according to the sheriff’s office.
It was not clear whether the suspect had any contact with girls or any other people during the other home invasions.
“Obviously, an intruder willing to climb into a home in the middle of the night and armed with a knife and primarily in homes with young girls is a person we need to catch and take off the street,” Sheriff Mike Bouchard said, per a press release. “We are asking for the community’s vigilance and tips. Any information leading to the arrest and conviction of this person is eligible for a reward.”
The sheriff's office describes the suspect as “a light skin Black male” with a thin build, between 5-foot-7 and 6-feet-tall. He is believed to be between 17 and 21 years old.
Authorities say in each instance he wore a ski mask and dark clothes. He has not been seen getting in or out of a vehicle and was believed to be on foot.
Residents are urged to double-check all windows and doors to ensure they are locked and should call 911 to report any suspicious activity.
Anyone who recognizes the suspect or knows something about the home invasions is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for tips that lead to an arrest in the case. All Crime Stoppers tipsters will remain anonymous.