Kannur: A 49-year-old man was arrested on Saturday for allegedly stealing a police vehicle from inside the compound of the Kannur City Cyber Police Station in Kerala, officials said.

The accused, identified as Hamsath, a native of Thozhiyoor near Guruvayoor in Thrissur district, allegedly entered the police station compound around 12.30 am and drove away in an SUV belonging to the station after surveying the premises, police said.

According to officials, the man later reached a petrol pump frequently used by police vehicles and allegedly refuelled the SUV without making payment.

Police said he subsequently went to a nearby night eatery, where his behaviour aroused suspicion among people present there. They alerted the Kannur town police, following which a police team rushed to the spot.

During questioning, officers realised that the SUV had been stolen from the cyber police station, officials added.

Hamsath was taken into custody and shifted to the Kannur town police station, where a case was registered against him for theft of government property.

The vehicle was later returned to officials of the Kannur cyber police station.

Police said the accused's background was being examined to ascertain whether he had any involvement in previous theft cases.

Officials added that the accused would be produced before a court later in the day as part of remand proceedings.