They have been arrested and detained by police.
A 78-year-old pensioner has been arrested after stabbing a suspected armed burglar in his home in Hither Green, south east London.
The man was asleep with his wife when he heard noises. After coming down the stairs he challenged two men in the middle of a suspected break-in.
The 37-year-old suspected burglar sustained a stab wound to his chest during the struggle in the pensioner's kitchen. He was rushed to hospital but died at 3.37am.
The force said that they were called to a “burglary in process” at around 12.45am in Further Green Road, Hither Green.
A spokesman said: “The 78-year-old resident had found two males inside his address.
“One suspect went upstairs while the homeowner was forced into the kitchen by the second suspect, armed with a screwdriver.
“A struggle had ensued in the kitchen during which one of the males found inside the property sustained a stab wound to the upper body.”
The second of the two men escaped the scene and is now being hunted by police. The homeowner suffered bruising to his arms but his injuries are not believed to be serious.
After initially being arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm the homeowner has now been re-arrested on suspicion of murder.
