The man, a 54-year-old from Attard, was caught by the police who were doing the rounds in Victor Vassalli Street in Attard at around 3.30am yesterday.

Police sources said he was found to be in possession of a number of jerrycans full of diesel and a search in his residence yielded a number of other jerrycans as well as other items used to suck out diesel from cars.

The man was arrested and is being investigated by the Naxxar district police. He is expected to be charged in court in the coming days.