ATLANTA, GA -- Residents of a Brookhaven condominium complex are being asked to take extra security measures after a home invasion robbery this week.According to an incident report by Atlanta Police Officer Armando Silva, the suspect broke in through a locked window in the back of a home in the Walden on Lenox community while the residents were sleeping.

One of them said she heard something and was checking it out when she ran into the robber.

She says when he noticed the phone in her hand, he said: "Calm down. Put the cell phone down. I have a gun!"

The woman says she started screaming, grabbed her son who was in the room with her and ran out of the house. Her mom, who also lives with her, also got out safely. A neighbor heard the screams and called police.

The suspect got away before officers arrived, taking the resident's 15-inch Toshiba laptop with him.

He is described as a tall black man with a dark complexion, short hair and muscular build. He was wearing a grey t-shirt, blue jeans and shiny black shoes.

Anyone with information on the suspect of the robbery is asked to call Crime Stoppers Atlanta at (404) 577-8477

This story, which can be found on: http://www.11alive.com , brings up an excellent question we get asked all the time: "What is the best way to secure my windows?".   There are several options out there, one would be a window contact that is triggered when your window is opened.  Another popular device is a glass break detector that will trigger your alarm when it detects the sound or senses the shock of glass breaking.  There is also the option of using a passive infrared motion detector (PIR) which is an electronic security device that detects intruders by "sensing" motion or body heat in the area being protected.  So the question is: Which devices should you use?  Your security consultant should be able to work with you to determine the best option for your home.  Window contacts, especially on the ground floor, are a great option because they secure each window individually.  The issue we run into with window sensors on every window is that, unless your home has already been pre-wired for them, wiring every window can become expensive.  Alternativly you can use motion detectors which do a great job protecting a large area thus allowing you to give up some of those window contacts.  The issue here is that the intruder would need to be inside your home to set them off.   Most motion detectors (PIRs) are designed to be used when your family is away from home or when no one will be passing through the area "covered" by the PIR.   You wouldn't want to wake up to grab a drink of water in the middle of the night and set off your motions!  Using a motion detector coupled with a glass break to cover an entire area can be an excellent way to save money, however, be sure you talk about all these options with your Security Consultant to weigh any potential risks.  A knowledgeable sales consultant will help you design a system that will protect you and your family while taking all of this into consideration.  If you choose to save money by using motion detectors you may want to consider other simple protection techniques like window pins and motion lights outside your home etc...  Home Intruders are more bold and daring than ever.  A well designed home security system is an excellent investment towards protecting your home and family.