Police were called after a man caught rummaging around inside a car was restrained by a member of the public.
A man was spotted rifling through a car on Albert Road in Bolton on Thursday.
Officers found him equipped with a number of tools which would help him to break into cars.
The man is now in custody at Swinton police station where he is being quizzed by officers.
A tweet by Greater Manchester Traffic Police said: "Following reports of a male being restrained by a member of the public having found him rummaging through a car on Albert Road Bolton.
"#XT18 arrested the offender for TFMV, assault and going equipped to steal.
"The male is now at Swinton custody awaiting interview #NotJustTraffic"
