Driver arrested after delivery truck stolen at Newton

A man has been arrested after allegedly stealing a delivery truck then leaving a trail of destruction while the driver left the vehicle unattended at Newton.

An opportunistic thief left a trail of destruction after allegedly stealing a delivery truck while the driver was dropping off goods at Newton.

Police were alerted to a man driving a delivery truck through the carpark of Newton Central Shopping Centre on Gorge Rd with all the doors open and items falling out the back about 11.30pm Tuesday.

The owner of the truck told police the vehicle was stolen while he was making deliveries at a nearby service station.

The truck was abandoned at the shops and the suspect ran off.

Patrols swarmed the area and the police helicopter was deployed, tracking the suspect along Newton Rd, and eventually on to Essex St.

The Campbelltown man, 33, was found hiding behind a bus.

He was arrested and charged with illegal use, driving disqualified, unlawfully on premises, and drink driving, after returning a blood alcohol reading of 0.079.

He was refused bail to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday.