OLATHE, KS (KCTV) -
Homeowners living in the area of East 120th Street near Lennox Drive said they are concerned about what happened Wednesday morning and are rethinking how they can keep their families and children safe.
"A little bit edgy now, yeah, I am especially because my doors were unlocked," neighbor Craig Boyd said.
Police said about 9:35 a.m. a man armed with a handgun knocked on the door to a home in Village Gardens Townhomes, confronting the homeowner and two small children inside. The family was able to escape out the back door.
"It's very lucky they were able to exit the residence, came to a local business, contacted us," Sgt. Grant Allen with the Olathe Police Department said.
"I was just relaxing, eating breakfast. I looked outside and saw pretty much the whole area swarmed with police officers," neighbor Kip Kieso said.
"When my girlfriend was walking out to put some things in her vehicle, she was approached by several officers with shields and guns drawn and escorted outside the premises because she was told there was a hostage situation," Boyd said.
Not knowing whether the suspect was still inside, police used a robot to search the home, but the suspect had fled.
"You know this doesn't happen every day in Olathe. It's disturbing to us," Allen said.
And neighbors are surprised something like this could happen in an area they considered safe.
"Well it is kind of scary. I have two children so it's very concerning," Kip Kieso said.
"I'm very nervous and scared," 12-year-old Rylie Kieso said.
With the intruder still on the loose, those living in the neighborhood just southeast of 119th Street and Ridgeview Road said they're on alert.
"I'm certainly going to be on the lookout," Kip Kieso said.
"I'm absolutely nervous you know. Nervous. Talk about leaving the doors locked at all times, that's for sure," Boyd said.
Police are still looking for the suspect they describe as a heavy-set white man, possibly wearing dark coveralls
Police are urging people in the area to be on alert and notify the Olathe Police Department if they see someone matching the suspect's description.
KCTV5's Jami Brinton contributed to this story.
Copyright 2012 KCTV (Meredith Corp.) All rights reserved.
Jami Brinton/KCTV
