Police on Wednesday are investigating the theft of a large number of gold items after a search at a Nicosia gold shop turned up a stash.

The owner of the property, aged 78, has been arrested and taken into custody for questioning.

According to the police, the search happened as part of an ongoing investigation into a spate of burglaries in the district, for which two other persons, aged 19 and 22, are already in custody, following their arrest on Sunday.

When interrogated, the two admitted to committing ten burglaries and thefts between February and November this year.

Police have secured evidence that the younger suspects sold the stolen to the 78-year-old at his shop.

CID officers are investigating the stash of gold and gold alloy items, weighing 62.7 grams.

Police were able to arrest the 78-year-old for possession of stolen property, following the identification of a piece of jewellery by one burglary victim.

The gold shop owner admitted he had purchased the gold items without issuing receipts and made other allegations, police reported.

The case is under ongoing investigation.