An 80-year-old Dandenong North resident has set off in hot pursuit of a burglar on Tuesday 16 April.
The male intruder had taken off his shoes and snuck inside the Cornelius Street home adjoining the Dandenong Creek floodplains reserve about 7.20pm.
In the living room, he stole a handbag – just metres away from the resident and his 72-year-old wife, who were sitting at a laptop at the time.
The resident chased the burglar out of the house and over the 1.5-metre back fence.
In the neighbouring parklands, the two have wrestled until the intruder punched the resident in the face.
The victim suffered a minor facial injury, police say.
The burglar was described as Caucasian appearance and in his mid-20s to 30s.
Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au, or Greater Dandenong CIU on 9767 7487.
