Women concerned after 'creepy' notes left on their cars at Stanton, Ogletown shopping centers

For the past few months, several women parked in Ogletown and Stanton shopping plazas have returned to their cars to find a small piece of paper tucked in their door handle.

Sometimes it's an index card. Other times, it comes from a notebook. In at least one instance, it was a neatly torn piece of blank paper.

No matter the type of paper, what's written is almost always the same: Someone named Alex tells the women they are "cute" or "very attractive" and asks them to chat. The author then leaves the same phone number on each note, all written in pencil.

Some of the recipients initially didn't think much of the note — one woman said she and her co-workers have the paper hanging in their office because they "thought it was a joke." Others called it "creepy."

But after two women recently sounded the alarm on Facebook, their posts have been shared more than 1,200 times. Readers shared their concerns and want to get to the bottom of who Alex is.

The notes all read the same: "I saw you as we were both parking and thought that you were really cute. Not sure if you're single, but maybe we can chat? -- Alex"

At least seven notes

There have been at least seven different reports of notes, according to Facebook posts.

Brianna Medley said in her Facebook post that she came out of the Dunkin’ in Omega Shops on Del. 4 in early February and saw the note on her car.

Another Facebook user, Raven, who did not give her last name, posted that she found a note under her door handle when she came out of a Planet Fitness in Brookside Plaza.

She spoke with an employee at the gym who told her the number did not belong to a Planet Fitness member, according to the post. A Planet Fitness manager declined to comment on the notes.

Other women shared similar experiences, and Raven heard about a note left in the ShopRite parking lot in the Chestnut Hill Plaza.

Medley was so concerned about the notes that she reported them to Delaware State Police.

A police spokesman, Master Cpl. Michael Austin, said officers have investigated the notes and found the telephone number listed was a non-working number. No evidence of criminal activity was found, Austin said.

Police caution shoppers to park in well-lit areas and to be mindful of their surroundings.

"Trust your gut instincts and if you see something, say something," Austin said.

Police also cautioned against responding to unsolicited notes or communications.

When called on Wednesday, the number on the note initially went a non-descript voicemail. And a text sent to the number by Delaware Online/The News Journal went unanswered.

On Thursday, the unlisted number had been disconnected.

Medley and others on Facebook said they are still concerned.

"Please watch yourself," Medley wrote. "Please be careful & don’t go anywhere secluded alone."

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Send story tips or ideas to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com or 302-324-2785. For all things breaking news, follow her on Twitter at @izzihughes_

Have a court or data story idea? Contact Nick Perez at (302) 324-2856, nperez@gannett.com or Twitter @nickdnperez.