A BURGLAR was so startled when he was confronted by his victims, he handed back stolen goods and fled down an alley, it emerged today.The thief was disturbed by the arrival home of the house owners at Felixstowe, and gave back what he was intended to steal.

A BURGLAR was so startled when he was confronted by his victims, he handed back stolen goods and fled down an alley, it emerged today.

The thief was disturbed by the arrival home of the house owners at Felixstowe, and gave back what he was intended to steal.

Police today issued an appeal for witnesses to come forward who may have seen the burglar running through the Walton area of the town.

A police spokeswoman said a father and daughter arrived back at their home in High Road West on Saturday evening after visiting a relative and going shopping.

As they were unloading the car, the daughter went to the back door and found it ajar. She went to tell her dad and when they went to investigate a man appeared carrying items from the house.

"The daughter then took them off him and the man ran off down an alleyway," said the spokeswoman.

Witnesses saw him run off along High Road West towards Walton. It was about 8.45pm.

The offender is described as white, in his late teens, of average height. He was wearing a white zip-up top and dark trousers, and was carrying a sports holdall.

Anyone with information should contact Felixstowe CID on 01473 383328.