EL CAJON, Calif. -- Residents in an El Cajon neighborhood told 10News a string of burglaries in the past few months has them on high alert.

The units in the Mahogany Drive area of El Cajon are close together, and neighbors said they have been watching out for suspicious people. However, they said when the person or people strike, there aren't many witnesses.

This past weekend, an apartment was the latest target. A woman's window was closed but not locked. Neighbor John Van Diggelen said the burglar entered the apartment and stole her purse as she slept through the burglary.

Van Diggelen said his neighbor was understandably upset with the break-in, though she was not physically hurt.

"Oh, yeah, very upset ... had her privacy invaded," said Van Diggelen.

There were no witnesses to the crime that night but now there is a renewed awakening about the potential for trouble in the neighborhood.

"We are concerned about the potential for violence. The hot weather, people are leaving windows open -- crooks know this and they look for it," said Lt. Tim Henton of the El Cajon Police Department.

Neighbor Mike Mendoza said, "Oh, the neighbor's ... I worry, not about myself. I have strong locks and two dogs."

The series of break-ins, or hot prowls as police call them, began during the fall of last year.

Police said the burglaries are targeting residents on dead-end streets and cul-de-sacs in the southeastern area of El Cajon. Over 15 burglaries were reported in the first wave.

Several more burglaries were reported a few months later, and three were reported over the past weekend, police said.

Police said items taken were usually small items like purses and wallets.