Paphos residents nab suspected burglar

A man suspected of stealing a large amount of jewellery from at least one jeweller was injured when residents chased him in the streets of Paphos on Thursday.

He was arrested and is under guard at Paphos hospital.

Around noon on Thursday, police were informed a person in possession of a large amount of jewellery and watches was trying to sell the items in the centre of Paphos.

Residents chased the suspect and managed to catch him before the arrival of police. Police officers who rushed to the scene found the 29-year-old had a bag with jewellery with him, and a second bag containing burglary tools, gloves, a knife and €290.

He was arrested as he did not explain how the items came to be in his possession and was then taken to the hospital because he had suffered injures to his face while he was being chased.

Investigations revealed some of the jewellery had been stolen from a jeweller in Paphos, a theft reported by the owner on January 12.

He told police the theft took place between January 9 and 12 and said rings, chains, bracelets and pendants worth €15,000 in total had been stolen.

The owner of the shop identified some of the objects found on Thursday while police are in the process of trying to find out where the others came from.

Apart from jewellery, items from a souvenir shop were in the confiscated bag.

Persons who were robbed recently will be asked to inspect and identify any items stolen from them.

According to police, this is not the first time the 29-year-old is in trouble with the law.