Footprints in the snow led police to arrest a suspected car thief.
Cheshire Police said officers on patrol pounced into action after spotting the missing black Ford Fiesta on Halton Brook Avenue in Runcorn. The car had been reported stolen in Frodsham at around 10.45pm on Tuesday.
A police helicopter and dog team supported officers in the search for the car and culprit. Their efforts led to them locating the Fiesta abandoned on Holt Lane in Halton Village.
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The suspected thief, however, was not present, but officers found a trail of footprints and followed them, arriving at Rowan Close, where they arrested a 21-year-old suspect.
He remains in custody.
Residents on social media reported hearing the police helicopter hovering over parts of east Runcorn at around 3am.
A Cheshire Police spokeswoman said: "At around 10.45pm on Tuesday, January 17, officers were made aware that a black Ford Fiesta had been stolen from a property in Frodsham.
"Officers on regular patrol sighted the vehicle travelling along Halton Brook Avenue, Runcorn.
"Patrols, supported by the police helicopter and police dogs attended the scene and located the vehicle abandoned on Holt Lane.
"Officers made a search of the area and found fresh footprints in the snow, they followed these prints and detained a man at Rowan Close.
"A 21-year-old man from Runcorn was subsequently arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.
"He remains in custody assisting police with their enquiries."
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