Saint John police say they have arrested a 38-year-old man for multiple theft and fail to appear investigations.

Police say an off-duty officer spotted the man on Manawagonish Road on Thursday.

The man was wanted for several outstanding charges, including theft, failure to appear, and assaulting a peace officer.

“While the member maintained visual on the suspect, he contacted other on-duty officers to make their way to the area,” police said in a news release.

“While waiting for additional police officers to arrive the suspect spotted the off-duty member and attempted to flee.”

There was a brief struggle and the suspect was taken into custody with help from arriving officers.

He was held in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.