TOKYO (AFP) - A would-be car thief in Japan has been nabbed after he tried to steal a vehicle - with several police officers inside.

Ushio Sato, 23, was caught red-handed while trying to make off with the unmarked police car in his failed pre-dawn heist on Monday (Sept 25), said a police spokesman in the central city of Numazu.

She declined to give more details.

Japanese media reports said Sato did not notice there were officers inside the unlocked vehicle, which was at a local parking lot.

He immediately fled but was quickly caught, according to the Sankei newspaper.

It was not clear if the officers were wearing uniforms or were on duty at the time.