Car thief nicks Defence Force vehicle

army
The car has 'CADETS' written on the side. Photo credit: Getty

A cheeky car thief in the Manawatu may have got more than they bargained for.

A white Toyota Hi-Ace van, registration JMF651 and stolen overnight, was actually a Defence Force vehicle.

The white van had 'CADETS' written on the side of it.

The vehicle was located down a bank near Levin, police said on Saturday morning, after reporting it stolen.

"We are speaking to one person in relation to this."