An elderly pensioner caught thieves searching his home, but they still managed to steal £50 of possessions.
The burglary took place in Church Road, Billericay, when two men quietly entered the grounds of the house where the 82-year-old victim lived.
One of the men went into the back garden to keep a lookout while the other walked through an open side door and took cash from a handbag.
The thief then went upstairs to look for more valuables but was confronted by the 82-year-old who demanded to know what was happening. The intruder claimed he wanted to use the toilet but ran off.
The first male suspect is aged 18 to 19, 5ft 5ins tall, with short brown spikey hair and spoke with a local accent. He wore a white shirt and black trousers.
The second man was a similar age, 5ft 7ins tall, with short cropped dark hair and he wore a long-sleeved jumper and grey trousers.
Anyone with information on the burglary should call Sgt Phillipa Taylor at Wickford police on 01268 532212.
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