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Atlanta police looking for man who robbed elderly woman's home, then returned

ATLANTA — Atlanta police are looking for a man who broke into an elderly woman's house while she was home alone and asleep.

Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh was live in Southeast Atlanta where police are investigating to see whether the man later returned and threatened the woman with a gun.

The woman told police she awoke to find her front door propped open and her car gone.

The victim told police and her neighbors that the man actually returned to threaten her.

Investigators believe the burglar cut out the woman’s porch screen to sneak into her home.

The Ormewood Park resident told police that the burglar also took a computer, cellphone and money.

"The most disturbing thing is that they're cutting off the electricity while they're doing this," said neighbor Germaines Ehlinger.

Neighbors say this home invasion was the last straw. They say this one was the most violent.

"They cannot continue to do this in our neighborhood," resident Dorthy Prizad said. "We're fed up with it, but we're not giving up."

"He told her not to speak or move and he had no problem killing her," said Ehlinger.

Residents say they're banding together to stand up against criminals they feel are targeting their neighborhood.

Ehlinger said, "We want the neighbors to get together and become more active in fighting this type of crime."

Atlanta police say that community involvement is key.

"What we have to do is rely on the community's help to be those eyes and ears and when they see something, make sure they pick up the phone and call 911 immediately," said Maj. Timothy Peeks.

But the community is not expected to do it alone, as police say that they will stand behind them.

Peeks said, "There is no shift change in zone 6. We constantly we have full load of manpower out at all times."

Police say they are having some success solving these crimes. They say they have made nine burglary-related arrest in the area so far this year.