ALDEN — Alden’s police chief is advising area residents of a suspicious man who has been reported three times during the last week.

The man, described as white and clean-shaven with short, brown hair, appears to be targeting elderly women, said Chief Kris Harpham. The man was wearing a dark coat and in all of the instances said he broke down on Interstate 90 and asked the women to come inside their homes to get warm.

The first and second instances took place a week ago at one residence. Harpham estimated the man had to pass numerous houses to get to this woman’s home at about 8 p.m. She turned him away, but he returned about 30 minutes later.

On Tuesday, the same scenario was reported by a second woman, who also turned him away, Harpham said.

The police chief said he does not have any suspects in the case, but it is clear the man is targeting elderly women. Both women who have reported the suspicious activity were older than 80, and both said they did not see him with a car.

Harpham said if people believe they see the man, they are encouraged to dial 911.

“We’re just trying to educate people that these kinds of characters are out there,” Harpham said. “They’re not coming in to get warm. They’re coming obviously because they have a different agenda. We have to treat it like it’s the worst-case scenario.”

He said he has talked with the Wells police chief and the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office and hopes that if people keep spreading the word that soon enough the man will be caught.