Police chased and caught suspected thieves believed to be have been stalking a suburb on the look-out for Yorkshire Paving slabs.
The pursuit began shortly after a resident on leafy Lime Avenue in Urmston spotted men trying to rip up his driveway on Wednesday night.
The home-owner challenged the men, who are thought to have arrived in a white van, but he was threatened with a metal bar.
Police were called and were on the scene within minutes.
The officers pursued the suspects who had made off through the adjacent Abbotsfield Park.
Two men were arrested about ten minutes later near Urmston leisure centre.
Today (Thursday) the suspects remain in custody and are being questioned on suspicion of theft.
Greater Manchester Police, in a post on its Trafford North Facebook page, gave details of the incident and appealed for any witnesses to come forward.
The post said: "Last night, at approximately 8pm, #TraffordWestArea officers responded to a suspicious circumstances on Lime Avenue, #Urmston.
"On arriving, two males made off into Abbotsfield Park and were pursued on foot by officers.
"After a 10 minute foot chase, officers detained the males near Urmston Leisure Centre on Bowfell Road.
"It is suspected that the males had attempted to steal Yorkstone paving slabs from a driveway on Lime Avenue when they were disturbed by the home owner. Before making off, one of the males threatened to hit the victim with a metal bar.
"The two males were arrested on suspicion of attempt theft and enquires are ongoing.
"A vehicle that the males are suspected to have arrived in was also seized."
In June, the M.E.N. reported how thieves dug up more than a dozen Yorkshire stone slabs, most from in front of the main entrance, at All Saints Parish Church, in Whirefield
They prised them out from between two 200-year-old family vaults.
The cost of replacing Yorkshire stone can be £100 per square metre for the labour alone
Anyone with information about the incident in Urmston last night is asked to call GMP on 101 and quote log 2069-131020 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
