Burglar operation working the county?

I posted on my work blog about a weird encounter last night that sounds very similar to a door-to-door burglary operation that was working southwest Bakersfield last month.

Almost immediately, I heard from a woman who lives in Delano that the same thing happened (very similar description of the person) about a month ago.

Is Kern being targetted by some new criminal operation? Or has this gone on all the time but email and blogs are letting us all find out sooner?

Here's the email from the gal in Delano:
Just wanted to share with you the "Suspicious Guy At My Door" was also at our door in Delano about 5 weeks ago. My husband happened to be outside and the guy was insistent my husband allow him in our home but my husband refused. My 12 year old son remembers him and he perfectly matches your description. Apparently, he is working the entire county. We live in the Morningside area of Delano.

About two months ago, I was home sick and had my perimeter security alarm set. Someone knocked on my door. (They wouldn't ring the doorbell) I didn't answer the door but the guy knocked harder and harder on the door. It finally sounded like he was going to beat the door in. I peeked out an upstairs window and did not see a car or anyone around my house. Finally, this young black man walked down my driveway and started down the street. Then, he abruptly turned around and from behind the bushes and trees at the corner of my house, four more black guys stepped out of hiding. Thinking they might be going to break in, I hit the window and made a clatter so they would know someone was in the house. I believe with all my heart they would have stormed into my home if I had answered the door. (I don't have a screen or security gate.)

Thanks for the blog post informing people of these robbers.

Sincerely,
Gail