The sense of duty of a police ­constable led to the arrest of a man from Cospicua who was allegedly caught trying to steal from Attard, yesterday.

The man, aged 35, was taken away for questioning to explain how certain items found in his car ended up in his possession. The possibility of drug abuse was also being probed, sources said.

The sources said PC Robert Vassallo was on his way to work when he noticed a man running and acting suspiciously in Attard. He followed the suspect and spotted him from the entrance to a row of basement garages trying to prize open one of the doors with a lever.

The officer arrested the man and called for assistance.

A search in the suspect’s car, parked nearby, produced tools sually used for break-ins and various items including mobile phones, thought to have been stolen. Other items found are associated with drug abuse, the sources added.

The police are investigating.

PC Vassallo,, together with PC Kenneth Camilleri, was earlier this year commended for bravery after they rescued a woman who was caught inside her burning house at Marsascala last September.