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Police: Home Intruder Sexually Assaults Girls In N.J.

CLIFFSIDE PARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Police are warning residents to keep their homes locked and their eyes open following a violent break-in on Wednesday.

WCBS 880's Sean Adams On The Story

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It's believed an intruder entered the home of a Cliffside Park family through the back, and, once inside, went upstairs to the bedrooms where two young girls were sexually assaulted.

"I heard screaming, screeching screams," neighbor Faryd Marin told CBS 2's Sean Hennessey.

Neighbors spoke of the mother's shriek that woke up the street just before 6 a.m. on Wednesday.

"She was screaming bloody murder," said neighbor Louann Mossien.

"I heard some screaming and people running," said neighbor Lenny Novikov.

"The person who went into the house was running down the street," Ed Mossien added.

The woman chased out the intruder, who was then spotted by a passing driver who tried to give chase.

"She came outside, and she was screaming 'Somebody please help me!'' Marin said.

"I saw the car but it went really fast. They were honking the horn," added neighbor Lisa Zukar.

The suspect got away, leaving behind a sickened mother and her two victimized girls.

"Nine and 11 years old, it's just awful. What kind of life are they going to have after being traumatized like that? It's terrible, terrible," said neighbor Rita Palumbo.

Neighbor Margaret Mastromarino spoke to the mother Thursday.

"I asked how the girls were and she said 'They're OK but, you know,'" she said.

Police went door to door with fliers Thursday night in the hope neighbors might be able to help catch the suspect.

"I know those two girls. It's horrible. I can't even fathom someone that would do that," Marin said.

Police are also looking into attempted burglaries on the same street and a neighboring one that occurred just before the break-in and sexual assault.

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