More than a dozen prowling incidents in Westdale, but police still can't link them

Hamilton police say they still don't know if they have one suspect, multiple suspects or even a copycat at large aftera series of frightening prowling incidents near McMaster University.

There were three incidents overnight, including a woman who saw the silhouette of someone in her bedroom doorway, police say. Overall, there have been a dozen incidents reported since July 30, including one sexual assault.

But Acting Insp. Frank Miscione says police don't even know how many people they're dealing with yet.

"There could very well be multiple suspects, and there could very well be people copycatting what has occurred," Miscionesaid Friday. Police also don't know if every incident is a legitimate prowler, or "hyper vigilance" on the part of frightened residents.

The problem? Police still don't have a good enough description of the suspect, except that it's "a white male," Miscione said. Because of that, investigators can't even conclude that the incidents are related.

"Our descriptions right now are vague at best," he said.

Thursday wasthe third straight night Westdale residents reported suspicious people lurking around their homes.

Just before 1 a.m., officers were called to Cline Avenue North near King Street West.

A woman was asleep in her bed with boyfriend in their second-storey bedroom. She awoke to a creaking noise on the stairs, police say. She sat up and saw the silhouette of a person in the doorway. The person quickly took off down the stairs.

Police are investigatingtwo other incidents that allegedly happened in the same area over a period of a few hours.

Just after 1:30 a.m. Friday morning, police say, two women who live on Paisley Avenue South saw a man with an "unkempt beard" peering through their front window.

Lock doors and windows

At 11:30 p.m. Thursday night, a woman living on Cline Avenue North heard a knock on her window, but didn't look outside, police say.

Police have stepped up their presence in Westdale, Miscione said. Officers will be visible there for as long as they feel there's a threat. They're also analyzing video from Westdale homes and businesses.

In the meantime, he wants people to be vigilant. Lock doors and windows, he said. Call 911 in an emergency. The faster police can get there, the better chance they can collect evidence, he said.

Police are working with McMastersecurity services and the McMasterStudents Unionto spread the word.

Residents should report suspicious activity to 905-546-4861 or McMaster Security Dispatch at 905-525-9140 ext. 24281, or call 911 for a crime in progress.