Swampscott Homeowners Home During Break-Ins

SWAMPSCOTT (CBS) -- Police in Swampscott, and maybe Marblehead, have a very bold thief on their hands.

Instead of waiting for homeowners to leave before doing their dirty work, they're breaking in during the middle of the night, while the residents are sleeping. And it concerns police that a confrontation may occur.

"You never know what's going to happen," says Swampscott Sgt. Tim Cassidy. "And it makes us nervous that, if confronted, it could escalate from just a break-in, to something more."

WBZ-TV's Bill Shields reports.

Twice in the past month, homeowners have awoken to find items missing-- laptops, cell phones, even an entire purse.

And last month, Marblehead police had a similar break-in, during the middle of the night, while the homeowners were sleeping.

The Linne family of Swampscott was shocked to find out one of their neighbors was a victim.

"I can't believe it, it scares me," said Tracey Linne. But her husband Ed said, "I'm going to buy a can of hornet spray...and if he comes in here, it'll be worse than mace!"

Police say break-ins usually happen more frequently around the holidays, but not very often when the homeowners are inside.