The woman told police she initially thought the man was there to speak with her son, who does medieval re-enactments, but she soon discovered the man was taking items from the home.
Police said the woman woke her son, who armed himself with a spear used in the re-enactments and chased the suspect through several back yards.
Police said the suspect got away, but they are looking into whether the woman was correct in thinking she recognized him from the re-enactments she participates in with her son.
"We did have several of the neighbors calling in; they had folks running through their backyard armed with this large spear and armed with a sword," Sgt. Brian Sigman told The Wichita Eagle.
Sigman said police were searching for the suspect and plan to charge him with aggravated burglary.
"In 24 years, this is definitely a first," Sigman said.
