A not so cunning burglar was caught by Dunedin police before the occupants of the home he had burgled even knew it happened.
Police arrested a man with a large backpack full of stolen power tools after witnessing him acting suspiciously about 5am on Saturday.
Senior Sergeant Ben Butterfield said police were on patrol near County Rd, Kaikorai Valley when they saw the man "running along the grass verge" .
The man fled into bushes when he spotted the police.
Discovering the stolen tools before they had been reported missing was an example of "good police work", Sgt Butterfield said.
"They are out and about, seeing something suspicious and responding accordingly."
The man, who was known to the police, had been remanded in custody.
