A 35-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested as part of a police probe into the thefts of catalytic converters from cars parked at Chester Zoo.

Cheshire Constabulary confirmed that the male, who is from Burnley, Lancashire, is currently in custody being questioned by officers.

He was arrested at the petrol station outside the Morrisons store off Wilderspool Causeway, Warrington, at around 1.30pm today (July 14).

Eyewitnesses reported seeing his vehicle being boxed in by police cars as he was filling up at one of the pumps.

Police had launched an appeal for information on Friday after at least three vehicles – a Toyota Prius, a Toyota Auris and a Lexus RX 400 – were targeted at the zoo’s car park the previous day (July 9).

The thefts of the exhaust emission control devices occurred between 1pm and 5pm.

In a statement released this afternoon, Cheshire Constabulary said: "A 35-year-old man from Burnley, Lancashire, has been arrested in connection with the catalytic converter thefts at Chester Zoo on Thursday 9 July.

"He is currently in custody being questioned by officers."