Police are hunting for an intruder who was found lying in a woman's bedroom at a Papamoa house.
Tauranga Senior Sergeant Cam Anderson said police were called to a Gravatt Rd house about 1.45pm yesterday.
"A burglar was disturbed at a house in Papamoa and has run off."
He said the woman came across the man lying on the floor inside her bedroom.
The intruder, described as a male Maori, then ran away.
A Bay of Plenty Times reporter at the scene saw a number of police cars cruising around Gravatt Rd, Palm Beach Boulevard and Oriental Parade looking for the man.
A neighbour who came out to see what the fuss was about said three police cars had been parked in front of the house and a police dog had been brought out.
The neighbour said their front windows, which faced the crime scene, were blocked by a visitor's car at the time.
"Usually we see it all from the house," she said.
Mr Anderson said the offender had not been caught and enquiries were ongoing.
Phone the Tauranga police on (07) 577 4300 if you have information. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.