Police in Oamaru say the burglary of the home of an elderly man was despicable.
Detective Sergeant Dan Keno says the 94-year-old, who lives alone, awoke to noises inside his house just before 3am on Tuesday.
Mr Keno said someone entered the bedroom and held the man down in his bed, while possibly a second person searched his house and removed valuable items.
Mr Keno said the targeting of elderly people is despicable and police will be doing their utmost to locate those responsible and hold them to account.
A number of items valuable to the man were taken, although the police are not in a position to reveal details about them.
