KEY POINTS:
It began when a woman said her bag was snatched in Milford and ended 30 minutes later with an arrest at the Viaduct.
Inspector Jacqui Whittaker said two men were involved in the bag-snatching incident about 10.30am yesterday. The men then fled to the central city in a stolen car.
Within half an hour, six sighting of the car had been reported, and at least six police cars and the police helicopter swarmed on the Viaduct Harbour and lower Queen St.
A witness said she watched the car - a white Nissan - pull up quickly behind O'Hagans Irish Bar at the Viaduct. Two men got out of the car and ran away but were closely followed by police.
Police said one of the men was eventually found near the boat terminal on Quay St about 11am. He was arrested without incident.
More than one bag was visible in the front of the car but police couldn't confirm last night if any others had been reported stolen.
The arrested man is expected to appear in court today.
