A YORK-BASED soldier was arrested after Ministry of Defence Police raided an army surplus store in the city.

A second man was also arrested as part of an investigation into the alleged theft of military radios.

About 15 officers spent hours yesterday searching the Surplus shop on Fishergate, where a 33-year-old Leeds man was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen Ministry of Defence (MoD) property.

Later, officers announced they had also arrested a 36-year-old serving soldier, based in York.

A MoD Police spokesman said both men were later taken into police custody in York to be interviewed by detectives.

Last night, both men were still being questioned.

The Press tried to visit the store yesterday to speak to the owner, but was denied access by the MoD Police. It is understood a number of customers entered Surplus during the search, but were directed out by police. The MoD Police spokesman said officers also searched a residential address in Leeds and that yesterday’s activity was connected to a MoD Police investigation into the alleged theft of military radios. He would not comment further, for “operational reasons”.

The MoD Police operation at the shop began yesterday morning and finished at about 4.30pm, with the store remaining closed during the search.

The MoD Police is a civilian police force that deals with defence-related crime. It is a separate organisation to the Military Police. A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “North Yorkshire Police assisted the MoD Police with an operation at the army surplus store.”