Kuala Lumpur  - A Malaysian police officer, suspended for disciplinary problems, was arrested on suspicion of committing several burglaries and vehicle thefts, reports said Wednesday.

The 46-year-old constable, based at a police station in the Selangor state, was arrested Sunday afternoon in the southern Johor state with a 45-year old accomplice, while a third accomplice managed to escape.

District police chief Ibrahim Mohamad Aris said patrol officers had approached the suspects in two cars upon noticing their suspicious behaviour at an alley.

"The three men tried to escape but we managed to arrest two of them. One is a policeman in suspension while the other had two previous police records," Ibrahim was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times daily.

"Further checks showed that the two cars they were in were reported missing" said Ibrahim, adding that the vehicles had false registration numbers.

Police also found various tools used in burglaries, including screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, wrenches and several keys in the car.

Ibrahim said the police are now looking for the third accomplice and urged the public to come forward with information. (dpa)