An intruder climbed through an open window and crept into the bedroom of a sleeping Tauranga woman at the weekend - the latest in a string of intrusions into unlocked homes.
Police were called to a house in Poike St about 12.45am on Saturday after an intruder got in through the
window and left through an unlocked ranch-slider door.
Sergeant Dave Thompson, of Greerton police, said the 19-year-old woman woke to find the hooded man standing over her in her bedroom. He had shut the door and was next to her bed.
When she realised it was not a flatmate she followed the man down the hallway and watched him leave the house through a door.
"He was very calm and in no rush to leave," Mr Thompson said.
Nothing was taken from the house. A police dog and handler followed a trail away from the house but lost the scent.
Police believe the man may have left in a car. He was described as a male Maori, in his 20s, with a wispy moustache, wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, which he had pulled over his head, and Sean Paul branded jeans.
During the past fortnight, officers have expressed concern to the Bay of Plenty Times about a growing number of burglaries of unlocked homes.
Saturday's incident drew a fresh warning.
"Open windows and unlocked doors are just an invitation for burglars. They should all be secured at night," Mr Thompson said.
