A 19-year-old Owaka man is due to appear in the Dunedin District Court on January 21 facing charges which include burglary.
The man allegedly stole alcohol, food and personal items from two houses in Owaka on Saturday night and Sunday morning, before being arrested in Milton on Monday.
Constable Darren Huddleston, of Balclutha, said it was "disturbing" the man allegedly entered one of the properties twice while the elderly occupant was asleep in the house.
The other house was vacant. Some items had been recovered. The man is in custody.