Woman scares off burglars

Police said the woman was awake in bed when she saw a man looking at her through her bedroom door. Photo / File

A woman confronted and scared off two burglars who broke into her house.

Police said the Matamata woman was awake in bed when she saw a man looking at her through her bedroom door about 4.45am yesterday.

"She told him to leave and he did so. She then heard noises in the house, and when she investigated she found a second man in the lounge in the process of taking her laptop computer," police said.

"She challenged the man, who dropped the computer and left the house."

But as that burglar left, the first man returned and assaulted the woman.

The woman was not badly injured, police said.

Both men then left the property.

Police described one of the men as a short, stocky Maori man and the other as a tall, skinny Maori.

The short man was thought to be between 28 and 36 years old, about 165cm tall and wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans.

The tall man was described as about 185cm tall, with a skinny build and aged about 25 years. He has a hunched gait and short hair at the sides, longer on top and possibly a rat's tail at the back.

He has a thin moustache and speaks with a soft voice, police said.

Anyone with information about the two men should phone Matamata Police on 07 8887117 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police said the woman's "bravery in challenging the burglars" was commendable, but anyone who found themselves in a similar situation should be non-confrontational and alert police as soon as possible.