A SLEEPING pensioner in his 80s woke to find an intruder rifling his bedroom in Teignmouth in the early hours of today.
The fearless elderly occupant challenged the midnight prowler who fled from his property in the Headway Close area.
The have-a-go hero, who chased the unwanted visitor down his stairs, lost a wallet and £90 during the drama.
At about the same time police were alerted about a break-in in progress in Mill Lane where a door window was smashed.
Police, including dog handlers and the force helicopter, were alerted.
Police say a 43-year-old local man was detained in the resort just before 1am and taken to Newton Abbot Police Station.
He was arrested on suspicion of two burglaries and assaulting a police officer.
A wallet and cash were recovered.