A violent attack on a 91-year old Marion County woman left her badly beaten and shot. Ocala police are warning people to be on high alert for teens they believe could be responsible for the attack and a series of other robberies.

The crime spree started with a robbery at the Dollar General on State Road 40 March 26. Surveillance video showed a pair of young men enter the store with guns already drawn forcing the clerks to empty cash registers.

For the past three months Ocala Police have been investigating about a dozen similar robberies at businesses all over town, from stores and restaurants, to gas stations and dry cleaners. They hit another Dollar General on NW 10th Street earlier this month. Police said in many cases it appears the robbers are riding their bicycles to and from their targets.

At the Martin Oil on State Road 200 two weeks ago, police said the robbers, believed to be teens, even fired a shot at someone who followed them. Then they are suspected of invading the 91-year-old woman's home on NE 6th Place on Saturday.

“In this pattern of robberies the violence is tending to escalate," Ocala Police Sgt. Brian Young said. "So there’s a concern on our part for that reason. They confronted her, demanded money. She said she didn’t have any, at which point they began to beat her and that culminated ultimately in her getting shot.”

The revolver is believed to been loaded with ratshot. She spent three days revovering from head and facial injuries from the beating and gunfire.

Her 83-year-old neighbor ventured out of his home Wednesday for the first time since the brutal attack.

“I just can’t believe it happened in this neighborhood with all the quiet and peace. I’ve walked up and down these streets for I don’t know how long,” Robert Rizziardi said.

While the investigation continues, police are reminding businesses and homeowners to take steps to keep themselves from becoming victims of crime. They added not to approach the teens considered to be armed and dangerous.

“They don’t want to do nothing, they just want to take everybody else’s stuff. I think it’s absolutely wrong," said Dave Liss, whose family owns a furniture business next to Martin Oil. "If they hurt that 91-year-old lady I think they should all go to prison for the rest of their life.”

If captured, the pair face dozens of charges including attempted murder.