Man charged over retirement home break-ins

A man has been charged with breaking into units in a retirement village on Sydney's northern beaches on Anzac Day and Mother's Day.

Police say he broke into a 92-year-old woman's unit on April 25, searching the home after claiming to be a maintenance worker, then leaving without taking anything.

On May 10, the man allegedly returned to the same retirement village and broke into another unit, which was occupied by an 85-year-old woman and an 85-year-old man.

Police say the man stole cash from the unit, and when confronted by the couple again claimed to be a maintenance worker.

The 35-year-old man was arrested on Thursday, and has been refused bail to appear at Hornsby Local Court on Friday.