Raleigh, N.C. — Local police are investigating whether a string of crimes against senior citizens may be related.

Between Aug. 12 and Aug. 28, five similar incidents were reported where a senior citizen was approached after returning home from running errands. The suspect is described as a black male suspect between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet tall in several of the cases. In two of the incidents, the suspect was armed with a knife. The suspect fled on foot in each case.

At 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 12, an 83-year-old woman was returning home to the 1600 block of Glengarry Drive in Cary. The woman was forced into her residence by a masked black male around 5 feet 10 inches tall with a knife. The suspect stole her purse and its contents.

After noon on Aug. 17, a 70-year-old woman was followed into her home in the 1300 block of Holland Hills Drive in Wake County, outside Fuquay-Varina, by a black male between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet tall. The suspect demanded money from the victim, and was wearing a white T-shirt, dark-colored pants, a blue bandana on his head and sunglasses.

Around 8 p.m. on Aug. 20, a 96-year-old woman was grabbed by a man outside her residence in the 2400 block of Caldwell Drive in Raleigh. She didn't offer a specific description of the suspect.

Around 7:15 p.m. on Aug. 24, an 85-year-old woman entered her home in the 300 block of Meredith Street in Raleigh and was confronted a man after turning around. She said the man was armed with a knife or similar weapon, and was described a male around 5 feet 8 inches tall and 190 pounds.

At 5:20 p.m. on Tuesday, a 70-year-old man was forced into his home in the 600 block of Daniels Street and robbed of cash. He told police the man was a black man in his 40s, 5 feet 8 inches tall and 180 pounds. The victim said his attacker had "bad teeth" and was wearing a white shirt, blue jeans and had something covering his head.

Wade Dodson said after the last attack, a neighbor called to warn him. "She sounded pretty shook up," he said. "After she called 911, she called us to let us know to get our children inside."

Anyone who has any information about the suspect is encouraged to contact the Raleigh Crime Stoppers at 919-834-4357, the Cary Police Department at 919-469-4012, Cary Crime Stoppers at 919-226-2746 or the Wake County Sheriff's Office at 919-856-6911.