CCTV shows chilling moment armed thieves prowl homes while residents sleep

Police have released terrifying footage of armed thieves prowling homes while residents sleep during a string of break-ins.

Chilling footage shows armed thieves entering a number of Sydney homes while the residents are asleep.

Police allege unknown people broke into five homes in northwest Sydney in October while the occupants were present.

None of the residents were disturbed during the break-ins.

Police have released the frightening CCTV in an appeal for information as officers investigate the string of break and enter crimes.

The footage shows a man walking through a home holding an unidentified weapon, with another person trailing behind him.

Police have released CCTV footage of armed thieves breaking into homes in Sydney. Picture: NSW Police

They are appealing for assistance to identify the man caught on camera. Picture: NSW Police

The string of break and enters occurred in suburbs throughout October, taking place on:

• Heath Street in Ryde on Tuesday 8 October at 2.55am
• Shirley Street in Carlingford on Saturday 19 October at 10.30pm
• Willoughby Street in Epping on Sunday 20 October at 12.20am
• Murrung Way in Castle Hill on Sunday 20 October at 1.45am
• Purchase Road in Cherrybrook on Sunday 20 October at 3am

It is alleged that cars were stolen from all of the residences except the house in Epping.

Officers are searching for a man in his 20s, with a “medium build, dark complexion” and a tattoo on his left lower leg.

The alleged break-ins took place across Sydney's north west. Picture: NewsWire

Police are searching for the man depicted. Picture: NSW Police

In the CCTV footage, the man is seen wearing a partial face covering, a black hooded jumper, grey gloves, grey trackpants, grey shorts and sneakers.

The investigation is being conducted by Strike Force Sweetenham, which is looking into the theft of high-performance and luxury vehicles.

Last month, the Strike Force charged three men after the thefts of vehicles in Heathcote and Eastwood.

Earlier in November, police also charged a man and two teens in Concord over the alleged theft of a Mercedes and a Jaguar and the alleged theft of cash from ATMS and stores in Wentworth Point and Sydney Olympic Park.