An Aberdeen man came face-to-face with a knife-wielding intruder in his kitchen before watching him flee with an iPod.
Police are investigating a series of sneak-in thefts in the west end of the city.
The first happened on Tuesday at around 10.30pm when someone entered a home on Bayview Road and stole a wallet.
Then early yesterday, a man crept into a home on Craigielea Mews in Airyhall in search of items to steal.
But after being caught in the act by the homeowner at around 4.30am, he grabbed a kitchen knife, threatened the man then left in the direction of Seafield Road.
The suspect is described as white, 5ft 6in, of medium build and with a local accent.
Police say he was wearing a waterproof hooded jacket, dark trousers and shoes at the time of the theft.
No-one was hurt in either incident and officers are investigating whether the two are linked.
One Craigielea Mews resident said: “It’s quite a peaceful neighbourhood. You don’t expect this.
“I don’t know if it’s just one guy or a group but it seems they targeted this area specifically.”
Inspector Lisa Sim, from Whinhill Police Station, said: “We are keeping an open mind as to whether the incidents are connected.
“I would urge anyone who was in the area at the time of either of the incidents and saw or heard any unusual or suspicious activity to contact police as soon as possible.
“In one of the incidents, the home owners challenged the man who entered their house and he subsequently threatened them with an item he had stolen from the property.
“Thankfully incidents such as this are extremely rare in Aberdeen, however remember the safety of you and your family and I urge you to phone 999 before challenging an intruder.
“I would take this opportunity to remind residents to review your home security and ensure all doors and windows are secured, as well as to check around your homes that all entry and exit points are properly secured.”