Police on Wednesday arrested on the spot a man, caught stealing from an unconscious 19-year-old on a street in Ayia Napa.

According to the police, officers on patrol found the 19-year-old unconscious and the would-be-thief, aged 26, in the act of stealing the man’s shoulder bag shortly after midnight.

The 26-year-old tried to run away when approached and attacked the police officers who stopped him.

Police found the suspect in possession of the stolen bag which contained a mobile phone, a small amount of money in British pounds, and a driver’s license, providing information that the 19-year-old was a visitor from the UK.

Police also found in the suspect’s possession the sum of €1,700 the origin of which is being investigated, as the suspect was unable to provide adequate explanation.

Police proceeded to arrest and take into custody the 26-year-old for obvious crimes of theft and illegal possession of property. They also tended to the 19-year-old, who regained consciousness and is in good health.

Police background checks subsequently identified the suspect as an illegal third country national, whose residence permit expired in July.

Famagusta police are continuing the investigation.