A woman caught a burglar in her elderly parents’ home in Peacehaven.
The burglar is believed to have stolen gold jewellery and possibly to have targeted another flat in the same block.
Sussex Police said: “Police are appealing for information about a man who was seen running from a burglary in Peacehaven.
“At 3.15pm on Wednesday (10 October) police were called to Sussex Way after a man was found in the bedroom of a flat in the road.
“A woman went to visit her parents, who are in their eighties, and found a man in the bedroom.
“He left the property when challenged by her and pushed her to get away.
“He was seen running along The Esplanade and then into the car park at the rear of Marine Court.
“He is described as between 60 to 65 year old and wearing a flat cap, three-quarter-length light beige suede jacket and blue jeans.
“Some gold jewellery from the bedroom was found to be missing.
“The man is being linked to another incident in the same flat block on (Saturday) 18 August.
“The elderly resident heard a noise and found a man looking through her jewellery box. She confronted him and he left.”
Detective Constable Andrew Mountford-Laker said: “This man appears to be targeted vulnerable older people and we are very keen to trace him. Have you seen a man matching his description in the Peacehaven area?
“Please make contact with us with any more information online quoting serial 696 of 10/10.”
