91-Year-Old Portsmouth Woman Scares Off Bedroom Intruder

are asking for help from the public after a 91-year-old woman awoke to find an intruder in her bedroom Tuesday night. 

The elderly woman was roused from sleep around 10:30 p.m. and found a man inside her bedroom. 

"She yelled and scared the suspect away from the residence," said Portsmouth police Lt. Brian Peters. 

The intruder, who then fled, gained access to the Valley Lane residence through an unlocked window on the first floor.

No one else was inside the residence at the time. A small, locked box was removed from the house located off East Main Road, not far from the Irving gas station. 

Police are now asking for help from the public in locating this suspect. The intruder is described as a male, about 5'7" tall and heavyset. 

Anyone, who might have seen a man matching this description or suspicious activity Tuesday night near the Irving gas station, should call Portsmouth detectives at (401) 683-0994. 

Police are also asking residents to take precautions.

"We encourage residents to lock their windows and doors, and use outdoor lighting," Peters said. "They should also report any suspicious activity to police."