WINONA LAKE - A Friday-night break-in and two attempts are believed related to previous burglaries that have been attributed to the "Bicycle Bandit."

A man on a back porch of a home in Woodfield Manor was spotted by the homeowner Friday night. The homeowner, Mike Wack, scared off the alleged burglar, who then reportedly ran to Country Garden Estates.

At 10:50 p.m. Friday, Winona Lake police received a report from John Norman, of Orchard Drive, that his house had been entered through an unlocked door. His briefcase, his wife's purse and a duffel bag were stolen and later found in a nearby empty lot.

According to police, a man matching the description of the suspect in Woodfield Manor was later seen in Southtown Estates, but no break-ins were reported in that area.

The Bicycle Bandit, who has been credited with more than 70 break-ins in the Warsaw area since spring, has a reputation for entering homes in more affluent subdivisions and stealing cash or purses that are easily accessible. He earned his nickname because bicycle tracks were often found in the yards of his victims, leading police to believe he made his getaways by bike.

No break-ins attributed to the Bicycle Bandit have occurred for more than a month. The Winona Lake and Warsaw police departments and the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department joined forces to investigate the burglaries, but have no suspects that they have made public.

The Friday night break-ins remain under investigation. [[In-content Ad]]