VIDALIA &8212; A burglar attempted to break into the home of John and Johnnie Sturgeon Friday morning, the third incident the couple says has occurred on their North Oak Street property in two years.

Johnnie Sturgeon said she was alone in the house getting dressed when she heard a noise from the front of the house. She thought it might be her icemaker, but the barking of her son&8217;s dog led her to investigate.

&8220;I was still in my gown, the front window was open and a hand was coming through it,&8221; she said.

She screamed and ran to the neighbor&8217;s house, where she called the police.

The intruder was gone when police arrived on the scene.

Vidalia Police Chief Billy Hammers said officers responded within three minutes; the K-9 unit was called in and followed the scent into a nearby pasture before losing it.

&8220;We&8217;ve got an idea of who it was and we&8217;re working on it,&8221; he said.

Previously, the Sturgeons&8217; son&8217;s car was broken while on their property, and Johnnie Sturgeon&8217;s jewelry was stolen out of their carport.

The police caught the jewel thief.

On the topic of local crime, Hammers said there have been two car burglaries recently, but that future break-ins can be prevented and &8220;there is no crime wave.&8221;

&8220;People need to lock their vehicles; that&8217;s just inviting people,&8221; he said.