Police in Paphos on Tuesday said they were still looking for a third person in connection with a loaded pistol found in an “open area” in the district.

The pistol was found on Friday after police received reports of a “car without registration plates which was hidden in a deserted area”.

Police located the vehicle and patrolled the area, with a second vehicle seen approaching it at around 10.45pm.

Two people were seen exiting the second vehicle, with one seen holding “various items of clothing and a jerry can”, according to police.

The police arrested one of the two, a 41-year-old man, while the other “took advantage of the darkness and managed to escape”.

A search was then carried out in the area, with a jerry can, a balaclava, a pair of gloves and a loaded pistol being found.

Further investigations determined that a 33-year-old man was also linked to the incident, and he was arrested on Saturday.

Police are continuing their search for the third person, who escaped from the vehicle, and have identified him as a 29-year-old from Limassol.

He was arrested on Thursday, and all three remain in custody. The police’s investigation into the matter is ongoing.