A man accused of stealing a case of jewellery from a store was arrested after police found him asleep behind the wheel of a running car.
Police allege the 31-year-old entered a jewellery store in Woden about 9am on June 23 and stole a display case containing an estimated $20,000 worth of jewellery.
He allegedly returned to another jewellery store in Woden on Monday and stole an employee's handbag.
About 1.15am on Tuesday, officers on patrol in Fyshwick spotted a white Fiat Abarth stopped in a lane on Hindmarsh Drive.
Police said they found the 31-year-old asleep in the driver's seat with the engine still running.
After waking him, officers conducted a roadside drug test which allegedly returned a positive result.
A search of the man and the vehicle allegedly uncovered about $11,000 worth of jewellery, cards believed to have been stolen from the employee's handbag, clothing with security tags still attached, and a small amount of a white crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine.
He faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday, charged with theft, unlawful possession of stolen property, possessing property suspected of being the proceeds of crime, driving under the influence, and driving while unlicensed.
