The police helicopter was tasked with searching for three men who fled from officers in Swindon this morning.
Wiltshire Police was responding to reports of a vehicle having driven off without paying for fuel at Kingshill Service Station at around 10am today.
Officers searching for the car, a silver Vauxhall, found it in Somerville Road, Walcot.
Three men were seen exiting the vehicle before fleeing the area, sparking a large-scale police search.
One of the three men was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and is now at Gablecross custody.
A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: “Shortly after 10am today (18/05) we received a report of an incident of bilking at Kingshill Service Station in Swindon.
“The driver of a silver Vauxhall had put petrol in the vehicle and left without paying.
“Officers located the vehicle in Somerville Road a short time later, but three men were seen to flee the scene.
“At this stage we have located one of the suspects, but two currently remain outstanding and our enquiries continue.
“A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and is being transported to police custody.”
