One of two thieves who reportedly tried to steal a car belonging to a policeman was fatally shot in Oracabessa, St Mary, on Sunday.

The dead man is still unidentified.

According to police reports, about 2 a.m., the policeman went to investigate after hearing strange sounds in his yard. He reportedly saw his Nissan Sunny motor car being reversed out of his driveway, with two men inside.

An alarm was raised and a shoot -out ensued between the cop and the men.

The car is reported to have crashed into an embankment and one of the alleged thieves ran from the vehicle.

The other man was found in the passenger seat suffering from gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at hospital.