The police received reports at around 1pm that someone was stealing from parked cars near St Peter’s Pool in Delimara.

Inspector Noel Cutajar and PC Alan Dougal from the Birzebbuga police station patrolled the surrounding area, looking for an Opel car that the man was reportedly driving.

They sighted the thief, filling the car at a petrol station in Bir id-Deheb, at which the thief sped off and the chase bagan.

The police chased the man through Zurrieq up to the Fgura bocci club, sources said, at which point the thief stopped the car and continued his escape on foot.

PC Alan Dougal chased the man on foot and managed to restrain him a short distance from the club.

Upon arrest, the man was found in possession of a stereo he had allegedly stolen from a car in Delimara.

He is now being kept under arrest and is expected to be charged in court, probably tomorrow.

The Birzebbuga District Police are heading the investigation together with officers from the CID.