Stranger walks into woman's living room, breaks into neighbor's home

BESSEMER CITY, N.C. — Police are searching for a suspect who attempted to break-in to two homes in a Bessemer City neighborhood.

One of the homes belonged to Brittany Davis, who was inside the home with her 11 and 7-year-olds and her 8 month old when the man tried to break in.

Davis said she has lived in the neighborhood for 7 years and never locked the door. But, she does now after a man walked into her home and tried to break into her neighbor's home.

Davis said she was laying on the couch when she heard a knock at the door. She said she ignored it, figuring whoever it was would go away.

Then, she said she heard someone turn the doorknob and open the door. She believes the man saw her and quickly shut the door.

Police said that man was James Tate, Jr., a convicted felon who was in prison for two years for stealing a car.

Davis said she called 911 and moments later, saw the same man trying to break into her neighbor's home.

"That's when I saw him," Davis said.

She said she took pictures of him at the back window.

Police say they confronted Davis, but let him go because at the time, they did not know he broke into Davis' home and did not have evidence he broke into the neighbor's home.

Davis said after the police let him go, she jumped in her SUV and tried to help the police find him.

Tate is in jail under a $30,000 bond.

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