He might be sporting crutches, but Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek has the satisfaction knowing that he thwarted a would-be burglar in his hotel room.

The 71-year-old game show host says he and his wife were sleeping when the burglar entered his San Francisco hotel room and made off with cash, a bracelet and other valuables.

Trebek was on crutches later Wednesday when he hosted the National Geographic World Championship at Google headquarters in Mountain View. After he hobbled onto the stage he was reportedly asked, "Why are you on crutches?"

"The answer is: At 2:30 yesterday morning, chasing a burglar down the hall," Trebek explained. "My Achilles tendon ruptured and I fell in an ignominious heap to the carpeting, bruising my other leg in the process."

Police have the intruder in custody.

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Among the items stolen was one with sentimental value - a bracelet. Alex Trebek's mom tells CBS News she gave her son the bracelet 20 years ago and he's been wearing it on the show every day since.

The cash and bracelet haven't been found but other items were recovered. Dangerfield says officers found several items near the hotel ice machine.

Trebek is scheduled for surgery on Friday and is expected to be in a cast for six weeks.

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