Jackson Township police are asking residents to make sure their doors are locked after a burglar broke into two homes while the residents were inside.
On Saturday, a man entered a home in the 3600 block of Oxford Avenue NW around 11:50 p.m. Police said he pulled out a knife, but fled when he was confronted by the homeowner, a woman who lives in the house with her husband and four children.
"He was holding a knife, what I believe was a knife in his right hand. He put his finger to his mouth to tell me to be quiet," the victim told newsnet5.com.
On Monday around 2 a.m., the suspect entered a home in the 7600 block of Aramis Street NW and assaulted an 83-year-old woman.
The victim said she was startled out of sleep after the man jumped on top of her and shoved her face into a pillow.
The senior fought back by kicking the suspect and screaming.
"I started saying, 'Jesus, help me! Jesus! Jesus! Shortly after that, he was gone," the victim said.
Police believe the same person committed both crimes and investigators revealed they have "possible persons of interest", but no one has been charged.
"We are putting all of our resources into determining who this person is," said police chief Mark Brink.
Possible evidence was found and submitted to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Police hope that evidence will provide DNA from the intruder.
In addition to keeping doors and windows locked, police are urging residents to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious people.
The suspect was described to police as being a light-skinned African-American man, approximately 6-feet tall and 250 pounds.
Anyone with information is asked to call Jackson Township police at 330-832-1553.
