Police on Thursday arrested a 31-year-old man for an investigated case of car theft, malicious damage, possession of drugs and other crimes.

The man was arrested and taken into custody after information was received about a van-type car having been stolen in central ​​Nicosia. Officers located the car in ​​Aglandjia where the driver, in his attempt to escape, lost control and crashed into the wall of an apartment building, where he was immobilised.

The driver then tried to flee on foot but was pursued by police and eventually stopped. In a subsequent body search police found various items in his possession, including a small amount of narcotics.

In a voluntary statement, the 31-year-old allegedly admitted to a number of vehicle thefts of cars, motorcycles and mopeds, committed since July.

He also reportedly admitted and indicated the locations where he had burned two of the stolen cars in Nicosia.

Police noted that so far he is suspected of involvement in 16 other cases.