An elderly woman was woken in the night by a burglar tapping her on the face in a terrifying raid at her Leeds home.
Detectives are now hunting the thief, who fled the house with a locked safe after the determined 85-year-old refused to give him the combination.
The robbery happened on the Brackenwood Estate, Gledhow, on Friday, September 7 at around 10pm.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said the victim was in bed when she was woken by someone tapping on her face.
The victim realised that it was a man who had made his way into her bedroom while she slept.
He said: “The man then grabbed hold of her right arm and demanded the combination to her safe.
“The victim refused to give him the combination so the man then went into a cupboard at the top of the stairs and took the safe.”
The burglar then made his way outside before the shocked woman managed to raise the alarm.
A member of the public, who was passing by at the time, heard her shouts and contacted the police.
The YEP understands the safe contained an amount of cash and jewellery which has yet to be traced by officers investigating the theft.
The elderly victim was said to have been left shaken by the raid.
The spokesman said that a 22-year-old local man was arrested on September 9 in connection with the incident.
He has since been bailed pending further enquiries and police have launched an appeal for more information about any suspicious vehicles which may have been seen in the area.
DC Dean Hopley of Stainbeck CID also appealed for any witnesses or anyone who might know the man to contact detectives.
He said: “It’s rare for someone to be attacked in their own home.
“Fortunately the elderly victim was not hurt but she was left shaken by what happened. I would appeal to anyone who knows anything about this to get in touch.”
Anyone with any information about the incident, particularly anyone who spotted any suspicious vehicles or activity in the area, is asked to contact DC 6525 Dean Hopley at Stainbeck CID on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.