Andalusia Police Chief Paul Hudson is cautioning local residents to be on alert, as authorities in Southwest Alabama and Northwest Florida are searching for a man suspected in the murders of three women.

The man has been identified as 44-year-old William Eugene Boyette, Jr., reportedly of Pensacola. He is a suspect in the murders of three women in northwest Florida, Alicia Greer, Jacqueline Moore and Kayla Crocker, and one woman in Lillian, Ala., Peggy Broz.

An attempted murder Monday morning marked the third attack over the last week in a spree that has crossed state lines, and left a fourth woman critically injured.

Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a Pensacola address around 6:30 a.m. Monday to reports of a home invasion and vehicle theft. The mother of Kayla Crocker went to Crocker’s house to check on her after the young mother didn’t show up for work and found Crocker with a gunshot wound. Her 2-year-old son was reportedly unharmed.

Crocker, 28, was taken to the hospital in critical condition, and her vehicle, a white Chevrolet Cobalt, was stolen from the residence

Boyette is believed to be in the south Alabama or northwest Florida area. He may be in the company of a woman, who has been identified as Mary Michelle Craig Rice of Milton. She was first thought to be a potential hostage, but Monday afternoon, law enforcement officials in Pensacola said she had had plenty of opportunities to escape.

Hudson said because the location of these murders is close to Andalusia and the suspect’s location is unknown, all citizens are reminded to be aware of their surroundings at all times. Many people walk or run in the city in the early morning hours. It is a good idea to not go alone, have a friend go with you.

Anyone with information about this man or woman, is asked to contact the Andalusia Police Dept. or the law enforcement agency in their area.

The police department can be reached at 334-222-1155. If you have an emergency, please dial 911.