A 'shoplifter' was caught stealing from Sainsbury's having already been arrested hours earlier.

The 26-year-old man was still carrying his police property bag when he was found in the Bolton supermarket on Tuesday (February 18), according to Greater Manchester Police.

The force says the man was initially arrested on suspicion of shoplifting from Home Bargains in the town earlier in the day. He was later released from police custody.

READ MORE: 'Profoundly deaf' 80-year-old banned from driving after reversing into tourist

READ MORE: BBC EastEnders star Anita Dobson reveals who she told about shock Angie comeback - and it was famous rockstar husband

But moments later, he was seen taking goods from the Sainsbury's on Trinity Retail Park without paying.

GMP says the man was then seen targeting a third Bolton business later on. According to the force, it is believed the man forced entry into Starbucks on Manchester Road at around 1am on Wednesday morning.

He then took items from inside the shop before making off, GMP says. The man was arrested for a second time moments later, on suspicion of theft and burglary.

A GMP Bolton spokesperson said: "Yesterday (Tuesday), officers from the South Neighbourhood Team arrested a male on suspicion of shoplifting from Home Bargains.

"A short time after being released from custody and still holding his police property bag, the male has entered Sainsbury's on Trinity Street Retail Park, taken items and left making no attempt to pay.

"At around 1am this morning, it is believed he has forced entry to Starbucks, Manchester Road, taking items from within and making off.

"PC Marshall immediately recognised him from her arrest just hours earlier. The male (aged 26) has been arrested on suspicion of theft and burglary and remains in custody for questioning."