A 37-year-old man has been arrested in Paphos in connection with a case of car arson and illegal possession of property, police said on Friday.

Police stopped his vehicle for inspection and found it had false number plates.

Two passengers, a 33-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man, were also taken into custody for a separate case of stolen property.

Officers spotted the suspect at around 10.50pm driving a vehicle registered to a Paphos resident who is currently abroad. The same resident’s home had been broken into between December 23 and 24.

Inside the car, police discovered a water heater, copper pipes, a pipe cutter, and a knife.

Officers are investigating whether these items were stolen.

All three individuals were arrested on the spot for illegal possession of property.

A small quantity of methamphetamine, weighing 0.2 grams, was also found in the possession of the 37-year-old.

Further investigation revealed he man was already wanted under two court warrants, the first linked to a car arson case from September and the second issued after eight rifle bullets and one pistol bullet were found hidden in a shared space at an apartment building where he lived.