The incident happened in Barrow Lane between 1.30pm and 2pm on Sunday.
The man went into the house while the owner was in the front garden.
Once inside, he grabbed a shopping bag and its contents before being confronted by the homeowner.
He grabbed his bike and cycled off towards Ferriby Road, Hessle.
A tan coloured cloth shopping bag containing a pink purse, a black wallet, items of shopping and travel cards in the victim's name was taken.
The offender is white, aged between 19 and 30 and 5ft 7in, of slight build. He was clean-shaven and was dressed all in blue, including a hat, jacket and jeans, and carrying a two-tone blue rucksack. He left on a black cycle.
Homeowners are reminded not to leave their properties unlocked even if they are in the garden as opportunist burglars can take no time to enter homes.
For more advice on home security, visit the Humberside Police website.
Anyone with information should call 101.
