A 49-year-old man has been arrested in a number of recent lunchtime thefts from businesses in west Edmonton industrial parks.

The man was apprehended on Friday after he was found inside a business at 145th Street and 130th Avenue when staff opened up for the day. He fled but was stopped and held down in a nearby parking lot until police arrived.

Police say the man matches the description of a suspect who has taken cash, wallets and purses from lunchrooms in west end businesses over a three week-period in January.

The suspect focused on manufacturing, construction and automotive businesses, and usually struck over lunch. In one case, a man had a coffee with an employee in the staff lunchroom, police said.

The accused is charged with one count of break and enter and theft. Police are continuing their investigation.