The alleged burglar — an intoxicated Noorat man — is believed to have driven into Warrnambool early on Saturday morning but ran out of petrol on Jamieson Street.

He entered a Dooley Street house about 4.30am and woke up its residents, which included a three-year-old boy, in his search for petrol, police said.

Acting Sergeant Di Thomson, of Warrnambool police, said: “The male victim leapt out of bed and was able to subdue the accused person.”

“He tried to flee several times and the wife called the police,” she said.

“It was a fairly brave reaction from the victim.

“The victim has done an outstanding job of maintaining rational thought to defend his family and detaining the offender until police arrived.

“Their three-year-old son was also woken up by the noise, so he was also exposed to the intruder being in the house.”

It is believed the father physically restrained the alleged offender for a short period of time until police arrived.

Sergeant Greg Cressall, of Warrnambool police, said no one was injured in the incident but the family was left shaken.

He said there was no damage to the victim’s home but the incident had left a mess.

The man has been charged with aggravated burglary and was remanded to appear in Warrnambool Magistrates Court today.

Police are also investigating the Noorat man’s alleged involvement in a series of attempted thefts in Terang, which are believed to be related to attempts to steal petrol from motor vehicles.

Anyone with any information about the incidents in Terang or related matters should contact Warrnambool police.

j.pech@fairfaxmedia.com.au

mneal@fairfaxmedia.com.au