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Residents Told To Lock Doors After Man Smashes Car Windows, Swings Bat At Pelham NH Theater Workers

PELHAM, N.H. (CBS) – Pelham, New Hampshire police are telling residents to lock their doors as they search for a violent suspect accused of breaking into cars. Employees of Chunky's Cinema Pub told police they saw him smashing car windows and that he swung a bat at them when they tried to stop him.

Police responded to the theater at about 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday. They found three cars with rear windows smashed and items missing.

He reportedly fled the area after unsuccessfully trying to break into another car. Witnesses said he took off on foot across Route 38 toward Old Bridge Street.

The woman whose car he was trying to get into said she saw him swinging the bat. Bianca Ellerd said he ran at her car and grabbed the door handle.

"He's holding the bat, screaming, my car's shaking," Ellerd said. "I'm like, 'if he gets in this car right now, he could carjack me.'"

He's described as a bald white man in his 40s or 50s, last seen wearing a black and blue plaid shirt. Police believe he may have left the area by now.

"Residents in the area were asked to keep their doors locked until he was located," police said in a statement.

Pelham police said similar break-ins were reported in Lowell, Dracut and Salem, New Hampshire Tuesday evening, with the suspect fitting the same description.

Anyone with information is asked to call police.

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