PORT ORANGE, Fla. – Residents in one Central Florida neighborhood are on edge after surveillance video captured a man walking onto private property and allegedly attempting to enter homes overnight.
Neighbors in Port Orange’s Windsor Hill subdivision say the incident is especially concerning because many residents in the community are elderly.
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“This neighborhood, we have a lot of elderly,” resident Jason Aquino said. “Most of the elderly are above 80.”
Aquino said watching the surveillance footage was unsettling for neighbors.
“To hear this is kind of surprising for us,” Aquino said.
The video appears to show a man approaching front doors and trying door handles before later walking into a backyard pool lanai area and approaching a sliding glass door while a family was asleep inside.
Residents also say the man let loose two dogs that were later located in the neighborhood.
“It looks like someone that doesn’t behave in a normal manner, which is kind of concerning,” Aquino said.
Aquino said the situation feels personal because many homes in the neighborhood have open backyard layouts similar to the one seen in the video.
“I have the same setup in my backyard,” Aquino said. “We don’t have a fence. Everything is open, so if he’s able to access that, he’s able to access our backyard as well.”
Neighbors say the suspect still being at large has increased concerns throughout the community.
“Someone like that not apprehended is somewhat concerning to anyone,” Aquino said. “Now that I’ve seen him, I can at least keep an eye out.”
Aquino described the neighborhood as close-knit, saying residents regularly look out for one another.
“I definitely watch out,” Aquino said. “I watch out for every neighbor. Anytime they have an issue, they call me.”
Residents say they are now being extra cautious and hope the surveillance images help someone identify the suspect.
“I thought us having a few officers on the street as well, it would deter that type of person,” Aquino said.
Neighbors are encouraging residents to remain alert and report suspicious activity to law enforcement.
“If somebody sees somebody that looks suspicious, at least now everybody is a little more alert to anything that is unusual,” Aquino said.