AN elderly York woman disturbed a burglar, who claimed to be a delivery driver.

A police probe has been launched after she found the man in her home in Nunthorpe Grove, South Bank, at about 12.30pm on Wednesday. He ran off towards Southlands Road.

The man is described as white, aged 30 to 40 years, about 5ft 8ins tall, with sandy, spiky hair. He was wearing a duck egg blue polo shirt and three-quarter-length khaki shorts.

Detective Constable Matt Dodson, of York Police, said: “Fortunately, the victim disturbed the intruder before he could take anything and it is also fortunate that she was unhurt in the incident.

“The burglary took place in broad daylight, therefore it is possible that someone may have seen the suspect running away from the victim’s home.”

Officers are also investigating a burglary between noon and 1pm on the same day, in Heworth Green.

Thieves smashed a rear ground floor window near the roundabout at the junction of Heworth Road and Stockton Lane, and took an iPad, two Apple Mac Book computers, and some clothes.

They also took a suitcase, probably to carry the stolen items.