Detectives are hunting for a callous crook who forced his way into the apartments of two elderly women living at an East Harlem apartment building but ran away empty-handed each time, cops said Saturday.

The back-to-back break-ins occurred inside the Corsi Houses on E. 116th Street and Second Avenue, beginning about 8 a.m. on Thursday, cops said.

The balding burglar first knocked on the door of a 78-year-old woman. When she answered the door, he pushed his way in, knocking her backwards and causing her to strike her head against the floor, cops said.

When the woman began screaming, the crook ran off, only to knock on the door of a 79-year-old woman living in the same building, cops said.

He again pushed his way inside the apartment, but this time, he locked the door behind him, preventing her from leaving, cops said.

The two fought and the suspect ultimately fled the apartment without taking anything.

Cops on Saturday released surveillance images of the burglar in the hopes of catching him before he preys on any other elderly residents.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to call NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS.