A vigilant Southampton man caught a would-be-thief red-handed yesterday morning as he attempted to to steal items from his car.

Police spokesman Dwayne Caines said the owner of the car was walking his dogs at about 12.25 a.m. and on his return home along Cross Bay Road, saw the man searching the interior of his car.

Mr. Caines said the car owner approached the man and a verbal exchange followed before the suspect attempted to run away.

However, the car-owner gave chase and caught the suspected thief, detaining him until an off-duty Police officer arrived on the scene.

The suspect, a 43-year-old Warwick man was arrested and taken to the Somerset Police station.

Meanwhile a car found at the scene, which Police believe might have been used by the suspect, was seized and taken to the Police Impound yard.