A 15-year-old damaged at least two cars after he was found driving a stolen vehicle in Nicosia, police said on Saturday.

Officers were looking for a vehicle reported stolen on Friday night by a 60-year-old woman, who said it had been parked in Pallouriotissa when she last saw it.

Around an hour later, at 11:30pm, police saw the stolen car in a parking place at Solomou square.

As they approached it, the 15-year-old tried to drive away, moving it in the direction of officers as he did so, apparently to force them out of the way.

But in his attempt to escape, the teen crashed into a car parked on the pavement and then picked up speed, consequently crashing into an oncoming vehicle being driven by a 28-year-old man. A woman, 26, was a passenger.

The teenager then attempted to flee on foot. Though he tried to hide, officers managed to catch up with him.

He is now being investigated for the theft of the car, as well as causing a traffic accident and violating traffic rules.

The 15-year-old, along with the 28-year-old driver and 26-year-old passenger were taken to Nicosia general hospital for first aid, and were later released.