A child disturbed a burglar as the intruder rifled through his parents' bedroom.
The parents left the house at Dugard Avenue, Stanway, Colchester, at about 10.30am on Saturday, leaving the children playing upstairs supervised by the oldest child.
At about 11.30am, one of the children went downstairs and found a strange man in their parents' bedroom.
Det Sgt Roy Clark, of Colchester police, said: "He made an excuse that he was doing some work for his dad with the dad's permission."
But it was later discovered that £2,000 cash had been stolen from the bedroom.
The intruder is described as aged 25-30, 5ft 10ins to 6ft tall, slim, with cropped light brown hair.
Any information to police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111
Published Tuesday January 15, 2002
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