DENVER, N.C. — Deputies are looking for five men they said stormed into a man's home, beat him with a gun and robbed him.
Investigators are warning people who live in his Denver neighborhood to be on alert.
"Very scary, very alarming to be so close to home," neighbor Sharon Ashmore said.
Neighbors are now keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity after hearing about the home invasion in the King Cove subdivision Saturday night.
The homeowner was sleeping when the men got in through an unlocked door, police said.
One of them woke up the homeowner by hitting him with the butt of a shotgun several times, telling him to keep his head under a pillow.
They demanded the man's phone, wallet and guns before fleeing the scene.
The homeowner, who was without a phone, ran to a nearby gas station and an employee called 911.
"I need an officer right away," the caller said. "I have this man in here. He said somebody just came into his house and robbed him. They pistol-whipped, they pistol-whipped him and they took his wallet."
The thieves took more than the wallet.
They stole firearms valued at $3,100, $1,000 in cash, electronic equipment and credit cards.
Neighbors Ron and Sharon Ashmore said Tuesday night an incident like this is rare for their community.
"It's pretty disturbing," Ron Ashmore said. "We've not had anything in this neighborhood since we've been here."
"It will definitely make us more cautious," Sharon Ashmore said.
Police don't have a clear description of the men.
The homeowner suffered cuts to his lip and face but refused treatment.
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