Woman, Alone in Residence, Scares Off Burglar in Early Morning Darkness

A woman alone in her home scared off a burglar who dropped what he was stealing and fled about 4 a.m. this morning, police say.

The unidentified woman, who is in her fifties, lives in the 600 block of North Oakland Avenue, Pasadena Police Sgt. John Mercado said. She had left a sliding glass door unlocked, and the would-be burglar gained access through it.

“He used some sort of a lighting source, probably a flashlight, to illuminate the inside of her apartment,” Mercado said. “That caused the victim to wake up and ask, ‘Who’s there?’ ”

Spooked, the suspect fled, leaving behind the items he intended to steal.

Officers checked the area and were unable to find anyone suspicious. There is no description of the suspect, Mercado said.