over the head with a torch and forced him to flee.

The woman told Police she could not sleep and decided she would bake. But as she was tending to her baking she heard footsteps outside her South Road residence.

She then went into her bedroom where a man approached her, pushed her against her bureau, and put his hand over her mouth.

The woman screamed out, grabbed a nearby torch and hit the man on his arm, causing him to release his grip, Police said.

The woman then hit the man again across the back of his head with the torch, forcing him to flee without making any demands.

The man was described as "medium brown, fairly tall, clean shaven and bald-headed''.

He was wearing white pants and no shirt.

The woman was not injured, but badly shaken.

Police are investigating the incident.

BOY, 12, STOLE CANDY FROM GROCERY CRM Boy, 12, stole candy from grocery A 12-year-old boy was arrested yesterday after stealing candy from a St.

David's grocery store.

Police reported that the boy, who said he stole the candy because he was hungry and locked out of his house, was seen by the store clerk taking the candy.

Social Services was contacted about the matter and after being bailed the boy and his brother were taken to their grandmother's house in Warwick until their parents arrived.

Police also reported that thieves stole a refrigerator from a construction site in Hamilton Parish sometime over the weekend.

The refrigerator, which was being used by the construction workers, was housed in the kitchen of an unoccupied residence under renovation.

Police believe the theft took place sometime between 5 p.m. on Sunday and 7 a.m. on Monday. Inquiries were continuing.

BARBECUE THEFT DISCOVERED BY STAFF CRM Barbecue theft discovered by staff Staff at the Surf Side Beach Club reported to Police the theft of a barbecue.

Police said the theft took place just before 5.30 p.m. on Wednesday outside a patio door of one the guest rooms.

The barbecue had been left there for use by one of the guests.

But three men, who were not guests of the property, were seen running toward the beach with the barbecue.

One was described as brown-skinned, of slim build, in his late teens or early 20s, while the other two were also described as brown-skinned, of medium build, and about six feet tall.

Police inquiries were continuing.

MAN ASSAULTED WOMAN AFTER BREAK-IN CRM Man assaulted woman after break-in Police are looking for a man who broke into a woman's home and assaulted her.

The 19-year-old woman told Police she awoke around 4.45 a.m. yesterday morning to find a man standing over her.

The woman, who shares the room with her sister, said she asked the man what he wanted at which time he touched her "inappropriately'' without replying.

When she continued to scream the man ran away.

Police said the man was described as brown-skinned, around five-feet, nine-inches tall, and of slim build. He was wearing a dark-coloured helmet, a light-coloured T-shirt, and knee-length jeans.

BREAK-IN DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT $350 CRM Break-in damage estimated at $350 Police yesterday reported that there was almost $350 worth of damage done to the RAA Club in St. George's during a break-in.

A Police spokesperson said the incident took place sometime between 8.30 a.m.

and noon on Wednesday.

An employee attended the club just after lunch-time and found the doors to the premises had been smashed, she added.

The area parish constables were investigating.

ARSON NOT RULES OUT IN BLAZE FIR Arson not ruled out in blaze Police are not ruling out arson as the cause of a Devonshire fire this week.

Police, accompanied by 11 firefighters, arrived at Observatory Cottage -- an organisation which detains and rehabilitates young male offenders under the age of 16 off Palmetto Road -- at around 4 a.m. on Tuesday.

Police spokesperson Evelyn James Barnett said they found the kitchen area covered in soot with its cabinets and floor blackened.

The fire had been extinguished by staff, but a fair amount of smoke remained, she added.

Neither staff members nor the six residents were injured. And the value of the damage is unknown at this time.

Police investigations were continuing.

THEIVES TARGET SODA MACHINE CRM Thieves target soda machine Webster University's offices in Hamilton became the target of thieves this week.

Police said someone broke into the offices on Gorham Road, Pembroke between 5 p.m. on Tuesday and 9 a.m. on Wednesday and stole an unknown amount of coins from the soda machine.

Other areas of the office were searched, but nothing else appeared to be missing.

Police inquiries were continuing.

TRIATHLON TRAFFIC ADVISORY ISSUED TFC Triathlon traffic advisory issued Police have issued a traffic advisory for the City of Hamilton for the next two Sundays for the 1997 Bank of Bermuda Triathlons.

The events, consisting of running, cycling and swimming races, will be held this Sunday, August 17 and next Sunday, August 24 beginning at 8 a.m.

Police said the entire length of Point Pleasant Road will be closed to normal traffic from 4 to 11 a.m.

And the entire lengths of Crow Lane, and Spurling's Hill will be closed from 7.30 to 10 a.m.

Southbound Court Street (between Church and Reid streets), Burnaby Street (between Church and Reid streets), Reid Street (between Court and Queen streets), Queen Street (between Reid and Church streets); westbound Church Street (between Queen Street and Par La Ville Road) and Par La Ville Road (between Church and Front streets) will also be closed between 7.30 and 10 a.m.

However, Police said traffic heading west on Cavendish Road onto Reid Street will be permitted to travel on Reid Street to the junction of Court Street, where they will turn and travel north.

From 7.30 a.m. to noon, the whole length of Front Street and King, Court, Parliament, Burnaby and Queen streets will be closed between the junctions of Front and Reid streets. Par La Ville Road will also be closed between Front Street and Rosebank Road between those hours.

Police also announced that the marine channel between Albouy's Point and White's Island will be closed to all marine traffic from 7.30 to 9 a.m. on both Sundays. Marine traffic will be diverted around the south side of White's Island.

Parking will not be prohibited at Albouy's Point or along any of the race routes. The Front Street and Par La Ville car parks will be closed. City Hall and Bulls Head car parks will be available for spectator parking.

All of the traffic advisories will be in effect for both days of the events.