A teenager was arrested today after a police chase of alleged handbag snatchers ended in a crash with a car.

The incident began after police responded to a report of the theft of a bag from a rental scooter’s basket at Horseshoe Bay.

The suspects were said to be two young black males wearing white T-shirts and black helmets who fled the scene on a motorcycle.

Police in Hamilton spotted the motorcycle and chased the pair.

A police spokesman said: “As they attempted to evade police, the suspects were involved in a collision with a private car near the entrance to the Transport Control Department on North Street and fled on foot into the surrounding march area.”

He said that no one in the car was injured and the handbag was found at the scene of the crash.

The spokesman added: “A search for both suspects was conducted in the vicinity of TCD with the assistance of a canine unit and a 15-year-old male was arrested in connection with this incident.

“The second suspect is still being sought by police.”

Police have appealed for witnesses.