A man was shot and wounded after he allegedly attempted to steal a motorcycle from the Black River Police Station in St Elizabeth on Saturday.

Reports are that about 3:40 a.m., a police officer conducting a routine patrol of the compound, saw a man attempting to remove a motorcycle that was being held as an exhibit.

Police say the officer approached the man and a confrontation ensued during which the officer shot the suspect.

The wounded man was taken to hospital where he remains admitted under police guard.

Head of the St. Elizabeth police acting Superintendent Coleridge Minto is warning residents not to interfere with lockups, exhibits, or any other government property at police stations.

He noted that under his command, three persons have been arrested and charged for breaching lockups.