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Gastonia residents on alert after man seen on video checking patios, looking in windows

GASTONIA, N.C. — Residents at a Gastonia apartment complex are concerned after a surveillance camera captured a man checking out a sliding porch door during the middle of the night.

The camera captured the man at the Quail Woods Apartments earlier this month, just days after a sexual assault and burglary nearby.

Residents at nearby apartment complexes say they are being vigilant, watching for anyone or anything that looks suspicious.

In the video, a man dressed in a dark-colored, hooded shirt walks closely by apartment units around 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 6.

"Prior to me moving here, I did my research, and I was told this was one of the safer neighborhoods in Gastonia,” said LaWanza Moore, who lives at nearby Georgetown Woods Apartments.

The man was seen checking out patio sliding doors and peering through front windows.

"That was shocking, and I know I now ... my sliding glass window needs to be boarded up to make sure that nothing happens,” resident Stephanie Sanchez said.

Police believe the man could be connected to a nearby burglary and sexual assault at Georgetown Woods Apartments just a few days before.

"No, it doesn't scare me, not in the least,” Moore said. “It just makes you wonder what's going on with people."

Moore said that shortly after the assault, the apartment complex posted notices reminding residents to lock their car doors, remove valuables and secure doors and windows.

"Probably putting up a security system now, making sure I have full access to the cops,” Sanchez said.

Police did not call the person in the video a suspect, just someone they want to identify.

Police are asking people to call if they can identify the person in the video.