A bungling thief tripped and fell over while trying to flee before being arrested.

The clumsy suspect allegedly stole a motorcycle but crashed even before he could leave the neighbourhood in Cebu, the Philippines, on February 5.

Frantically, he left the vehicle and tried to escape on foot but stumbled along the way.

CCTV footage shows the alleged thief sprinting on the sidewalk, where he stepped on a pothole and slammed into a pole.

He scrambled to get up and continue to run but was almost run over by passing motorcycles.

Village council chief Clifford Ninal said: 'He was arrested shortly afterwards with the help of the residents.'

Onlookers said they became suspicious of him before there was a chase. The suspect was turned over to authorities for leagel proceedings.