Mary Poppins — even Nanny McPhee — would be proud.

Police say a curious nanny confronted a burglar inside a southeast Salt Lake City home Thursday and put him to flight.

The nanny was caring for children at the home, near 1200 South and 1500 East, when just after noon she heard a noise. At first, she thought it was the homeowner returning unexpectedly, police said.

But when more noise piqued her interest, she followed the racket to the master bedroom and surprised an intruder rifling through her employer’s belongings. The burglar, a white male about 5-foot-9, medium build and wearing a black jersey and black baseball cap, ran out the back door.

The suspect was in such a hurry to get away that he dropped a purloined jewelry box in the backyard as he jumped the fence.

Police say the skittish thief may have been spotted shortly thereafter driving away from the scene in a blue Toyota Celica, in the company of a possible female accomplice.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Salt Lake City police at 801-799-3000.

remims@sltrib.com