It was daylight when burglars entered James Jackson's house and took his television set as he slept in the next room.
The disabled man did not hear them enter and was alerted by a visiting friend, who noticed the set was missing and called the police.
"I think they must have climbed through the kitchen window," said Mr Jackson, who has been burgled twice before.
"I had to save up hard to buy the television and I have to pay excess when I make an insurance claim. I can't keep replacing them."
Constable Cameron Dale of Whanganui police said officers had been knocking on doors in Mr Jackson's Mosston neighbourhood and would keep a close eye on the area.