Two Libyan men were caught red handed as they tried to commit a theft from the Exchange office building in Paceville this morning.

The men were arrested by a traffic policeman who was on patrol in the area. One of the men had already jumped over the gate while his accomplice was waiting on the outside.

Sources said the traffic policeman, Robert Vassallo, who last year won officer of the year, had to use pepper spray to handcuff the accomplice who tried to flee the scene and also tried to head butt the officer, eyewitnesses said. The second alleged thief was handcuffed as he tried to climb over the gate.

Mobile squad police officers and other traffic policemen who responded to a call for assistance took the men in for questioning. They are expected to be charged in court in the coming days.