POLICE pounced after spotting a stolen car in a queue for a McDonald's Drive-Thru.

Officers were passing by the site at the Crossbush Service Station near Arundel on Saturday afternoon when they noticed the car, with the driver and a passenger inside waiting to satisfy their fast food fix.

They quickly leapt into action, running to the vehicle and grabbing the keys before the driver had a chance to make their getaway.

It was later discovered that the car had been taken during a burglary in Littlehampton last week, and both the driver and the passenger were arrested in connection with this offence.

The Argus: The McDonald's restaurant at the Crossbush Service Station. Credit: Google Street ViewThe McDonald's restaurant at the Crossbush Service Station. Credit: Google Street View

The driver also failed a roadside breath test for cocaine, and was banned from driving.

Sussex Roads Police shared details of the incident on social media.

A spokesman said: "If you were in the queue for the McDonald's Drive-Thru at Crossbush yesterday afternoon and got held up, we can only apologise.

"Three of our finest spotted a stolen car in the queue and leapt into action, running over to grab the keys before the driver could attempt to flee.

"The car turned out to have been stolen in a house burglary in Littlehampton earlier this week. Both occupants were arrested for burglary, and we've since recovered stolen items from them and their addresses.

"The driver was also disqualified, and failed a roadside drug test for cocaine so is potentially facing further charges.

"More importantly, the homeowner will soon be reunited with their property."

In a tongue-in-cheek post, the force later added: "Are we allowed to say that the two occupants of the car were most definitely not... lovin' it?"

Shortly after 11.20am today, Sussex Police revealed further information on the incident, and confirmed that two people had been charged in connection with the vehicle theft.

A force spokesman said: "Two suspects have been charged with a burglary in Littlehampton following an investigation by Chichester and Arun's Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

"On Friday (February 12), officers received report of the victim returning to her home in Thorncroft Road to find her vehicle, jewellery and a number of electrical items had been taken.

"Officers from the Roads Policing Unit (RPU) located the vehicle at Crossbush McDonald's at 2.30pm on Saturday (February 13) and arrested the two occupants.

"An address search was carried out and further property believed to belong to the victim was found.

"Thomas Brown, 33, of West Way in Littlehampton and David Cotton, 38, of Windrum Close in Horsham, were charged with burglary and theft of a motor vehicle.

"They have been remanded to appear at Crawley Magistrates' Court on Monday (February 15)."