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CHARLOTTE -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are searching for a man who posed as a probation officer and attacked a family in west Charlotte. It happened around midnight on the 4100 block of Avalon Avenue off Freedom Drive.

This part of town is unfortunately prone to crime. Statistics show everything from armed robberies to aggravated assault just in a 1,000 foot radius, but many neighbors describe the area as a relative safe haven and can't imagine something like this happened here.

Police say a man dressed as a probation officer knocked on the door. When someone inside answered, the man pulled three adults outside and pepper sprayed them. While that was happening, two more suspects entered the home and took cash and a number of personal items. Then all three fled the scene toward Freedom Drive.

There was a young girl inside the home at the time but she was not hurt. The three victims were treated at the scene. Police say the victims just moved in a short while ago and perhaps the suspects were targeting the people who used to live there. Neighbors say the whole situation is unnerving.

Investigators say they don't have many leads or a suspect description at this point. If you have any information, you're asked to call police.