A MAN who was arrested in connection with a burglary which saw expensive items including jewellery and watches stolen has been released on conditional bail.

The break-in happened on Tuesday, April 6 in Rainford, police say.

At around 4pm, a man had returned to his home on Rookery Lane to find that entry had been forced and a number of items stolen, including bikes, watches and jewellery.

At 6.45pm, police officers spotted a suspected stolen Ford Fiesta on Pennywood Drive, Whiston, believed to have been involved in the burglary.

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The driver attempted to evade officers near to Whiston Station and a man left on foot and was pursued and detained nearby.

A 35-year-old man from Preston was arrested on suspicion of two counts of burglary; disqualified driving; and driving without insurance.

He was taken to a police station for questioning.

A Merseyside Police spokesman confirmed the suspect has since been given conditional bail.

The car is believed to have been stolen during a burglary in Preston in February.

Detective Inspector Leanne Hobin said: “This was a smart piece of police work and our enquiries continue. We’ll continue to respond to all such reports of suspicious activity, stolen items for sale and ongoing incidents, and remove suspected burglars from the community.”