An elderly woman fought off an intruder during a housebreaking incident at a residence along Spring Garden Trace, Scarborough, on Thursday morning.

Police said that around 9.30 am, the woman, who had secured the house by closing all doors and windows, was inside the residence when she heard a noise coming from the side of the house. On checking, she encountered a man inside the dwelling.

The suspect was described as slim built, brown in complexion, approximately 5 ft 8 in tall, wearing a long grey CEPEP jacket and pants with fluorescent green stripes, with his head and face covered.