A court in Larnaca remanded a 21-year-old man and a woman, 22, in custody for six days on suspicion of stealing a vehicle , which also contained an army-issue firearm and ammunition.

Police had also arrested a 16-year-old male for the same case but he was released later on the court’s order.

The theft was reported to police on Saturday by a Larnaca resident who said his car had been stolen earlier that day. Inside his car, there was a rifle and ammunition issued to him as a reservist by the National Guard, he told police.

Police tracked down the stolen car at a parking lot at around 7pm on Tuesday. A 16-year-old boy was standing by the vehicle holding a plastic bag with the weapon, while four spent rounds were also found nearby, police said.

The 16-year-old was later released on Wednesday following a court order.

Following the teenager’s arrest, police were led to the 21-year-old suspect and the woman who were arrested in a hotel room near the place where the stolen car was found.

Inside the hotel room, police found a small quantity of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia.