A break-in in central Nanaimo was thwarted Thursday when a resident stumbled upon the culprit.
The incident happened in a home in the 500 block of Rosehill Street at about 6:45 a.m.
The home is occupied by a woman and her 16-year-old son, who woke up and stumbled upon the suspect rummaging around in the kitchen.
The suspect fled out a sliding glass door. The son caught up with him and they fought briefly before the suspect escaped and ran south.
"It appears he came in through an unlocked sliding door," said Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman.
Mounties are searching for the suspect who might have been injured in the altercation.
The suspect is described as a light-skinned First Nations man, 5'11", 170 pounds, 18-20 years old and wearing a black and grey plaid jacket and blue jeans.
O'Brien said the Townsite neighbourhood of Nanaimo between Wall Street and Boundary Avenue has experienced a rise in thefts from vehicles and break and enters.
Homeowners are reminded to lock all doors and windows, not leave valuables in vehicles and report suspicious activity to police immediately.
Anyone with information about this incident or other crimes is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-755-2345 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com.