The residents of Metford's Chelmsford Gardens, a group of ground floor units attractive to retirees, are now helping detectives hunt down the young pest as he continues his menacing ways.

And investigators are becoming increasingly concerned about the real motives behind the suspect, who first found success getting into several homes posing as a tradesman before becoming more brazen with his sexual innuendo towards residents.

The latest attack was in the early hours of Tuesday morning, when a woman in her 80s discovered the young man clambering back out of her unit.

The burglar cut through flywire and helped himself to a range of items as the woman watched television.

But after hearing a noise and coming across the suspect, the woman became the victim of a series of filthy sexual advances.

It followed a similar burglary on June 2, less than two weeks after at least four residents fell victim of the suspect talking his way into their homes armed with a clipboard and suggesting he was a tradesman.

“Everyone is upset,” theft victim George Cornford, 82, said. 

“I worry about people. The guy next door is 94, what happens if he has a break-in?’’

Mr Cornford had his wallet containing more than $700 in cash stolen when the thief broke into his bedroom through the window. 

Mr Cornford, a former Superintendent of Maitland Gaol, Cessnock Gaol and Grafton Gaol, said the escalating incidents were taking an emotional toll on residents.

He said his background in Correctional Services meant he was well aware of what criminals were capable of.

“In my opinion, the people who are doing this have picked who they think are easy targets,’’ he said. 

“My major concern is if the culprits continue to get away with it, the natural extension of a break-in is a house invasion.”

But detectives are quietly concerned that it could be even worse.

Central Hunter crime manager Detective Inspector Mitch Dubojski said investigators had seized some goods suspected of being stolen from the unit block during a search warrant on a nearby Metford property on Thursday afternoon.

However, the suspect remained at large.