A horrified elderly couple awoke to find three burglars searching through their bedroom.
The victims were in bed at their home in Marks Tey, Colchester, when they came face to face with the raiders. They fled, taking £2,000.
The man and woman, aged 90 and 89, were said by police to have been left "extremely upset and shaken" by their ordeal, which was reported at about 11.45pm yesterday.
But they were able to tell officers that the burglars were all wearing dark clothing and were aged 18 to 20.
Det Sgt Roger Napier, of Colchester CID, said it must have been a terrifying experience for the pensioners.
He said: "It is extremely frightening for anyone to wake up in the night to find they are in the process of being burgled.
"I have no doubt they were targeted because they were elderly and vulnerable.
"The burglars have probably been prowling around during the day looking for easy targets."
The burglars were tracked by a sniffer dog as far as Patten Close after the alarm was raised.
Det Sgt Napier appealed for anyone who thought they may have seen the men in the area earlier in the day to call police.
He also advised relatives of elderly people to suggest they put large amounts of cash in a bank rather than keeping money at home.
Anyone with information should call Colchester police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111
Published Friday, May 2, 2003
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