MASSENA -- Village police say they have identified a suspect in the early Friday morning home invasion where a person broke into an elderly woman’s home and demanded money.

“We do have a suspect. We are actively working that investigation,” Sgt. Adam Love said.

He said although they have an idea of who may have been responsible, it’s too early in the process to know when an arrest could take place.

Early Friday morning, a person described as a tall, thin white male in dark clothing broke into a 95-year-old woman’s home on West Hatfield Street and demanded money.

She was not hurt, Love said, and would not reveal any further details.

“We don’t want to compromise the integrity of the ongoing investigation,” Love said Monday morning.

“I understand that citizens will be very concerned about this and will want more details and information about what occurred this morning,” Love said in a prepared statement released Friday afternoon. “I, however, must find a balance in releasing information to notify the public and protecting the integrity of the investigation to ensure we do not compromise our investigation efforts.”

In the statement, he suggests residents take the following safety precautions:

• Lock all doors and windows

• Make sure property is well-lit

• Leave exterior lights on at night

• Trim shrubs and bushes so people can’t hide in their shadows

• Report “suspicious noise and activity”

He said people who believe an intruder in their house should call 911 immediately and turn on lights. Those with remote car alarms should engage them. Love said people should not investigate themselves and wait for police to arrive.