Second victim awakes to find intruder in bed

Newark police are urging the public to stay alert after a university student awoke early Friday morning to find a male intruder lying next to her in bed, the second such incident in two days.

The 21-year-old woman spotted the man at approximately 4:30 a.m. in her house on Wilbur Street, said Newark police spokesman Cpl. Rick Williams. After she saw the man, he got out of bed and fled the house.

The woman was not injured.

Williams said investigators believe the incident is connected to a similar home invasion that occurred on North Chapel Street at approximately 5:30 a.m. Thursday.

In that incident, a female resident of the house, who is in her 40s, awoke to find a man sleeping next to her in bed. She screamed and he ran out of the house.

Police later determined the intruder entered through an unlocked door.

The suspect in Friday's home invasion is described as a white man, 20-35 years old, with average height, thin build and thick, curly, unkempt hair. The description is almost identical to the description of the suspect in Thursday's incident.

Police are urging residents to make sure their doors and windows are locked and to report any suspicious behavior.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Det. Michael Watson at (302) 366-7110 ext. 133 or Michael.Watson@cj.state.de.us.