A man in Japan was arrested after attempting to steal an undercover police vehicle with officers inside.

The would-be car thief, 23-year-old Ushio Sato, approached the unlocked and unmarked police vehicle parked at a parking lot in Numazu City at 12:30 a.m. and attempted to enter the vehicle.

Upon opening the door Sato found police officers sitting inside the car with the engine off as part of an undercover investigation.

Sato attempted to flee the scene, but was tracked down by one of the officers attempted theft.