A burglar ran off after a homeowner in Kidlington heard them smash a pane of glass.
The break-in happened in Church Street at about 3.15pm on December 10.
Police yesterday described the suspect as a white man, aged between 45 and 50, and said he was 5ft 9ins tall with greying hair.
Pc Bryn Smith appealed for any witnesses to call him on 101.