Maryland City On Alert After Suspects Invade 2 Elderly Women's Homes
MARYLAND CITY, Md. (WJZ)—Scary moments for some elderly women in Anne Arundel County. They woke up to a man standing over their beds, shinning a flashlight in their faces.
Adam May speaks to one of the victims.
The motive appears to robbery, but police say their tactic is very odd.
Alice Yoke, 91, who lives in a quiet street in Maryland City, woke up to a terrifying sight.
"I was just amazed, startled," she said.
May: "What was the first sign someone was in your house?"
Yoke: "The light in my bedroom. He was just standing there beside my bed.
May: "Was he shinning it on you?"
Yoke: "Uh huh."
Yoke never heard him break in the backdoor. She stayed in bed as he rummaged through her medicine cabinet, and minutes later he was gone.
"I thought it might be a dream. I didn't know. When you wake up and there's a light in face, you don't know what it is," Yoke said.
And just minutes later on a few blocks down the road, a 74-year-old woman woke up to a flashlight in her face. One man tried to grab her purse. She screamed for help, and then two robbers took off.
"It's deeply disturbing to the police department. Everyone should feel safe and comfortable in their home," said Justin Mulcahy, Anne Arundel County Police.
Anne Arundel County police have now increased patrols in the neighborhood. In fact WJZ spotted three police cars while covering this story.
"We're asking people to vigilant. Look out for your neighbors. If you see anything suspicious, report it," Mulcahy said.
They're also asking residents to keep their exterior lights on and take other precautions.
"We have an alarm system we don't even turn on, but we are now," said Daniel Johnson, neighbor.
May: "What do you make of this wrong experience that happened to you?"
Yoke: "I'm fine."
But to be sure, Yoke just bought an alarm, too.
Unfortunately detectives do not have a good description of the suspects. So anyone with information is asked to call Anne Arundel County Police.
