CARNAGE was brought to the roads of Renfrewshire yesterday as a maniac robber smashed into a police car before bringing train services to a halt. 

Cops pursued the man after he had gone on an opportunistic thieving spree in Kilbarchan earlier in the day. 

He was eventually nabbed in a garden in Elderslie and is due to appear in court today. 

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The 28-year-old had first been spotted breaking into a house in the village's Easwald Bank at around 8.45am. 

He then made his way around a number of other properties in the area, including Burnside Gardens and Barochan Road, as he attempted to find unclocked doors. 

Eventually, he made his way into a property in Barrhill Crescent where he made off with the keys to the owner's car. 

The crook came to the attention of cops when he was spotted by a member of the public in Elderslie at around 12.20pm, who had noticed damage on the car. 

Cops and a police helicopter scrambled to the scene and pursued the man towards Paisley, where he was eventually stopped in Leitchland Road as he collided with an unmarked police car. 

However, the robber made off on foot and legged it onto the railway line - forcing services through Renfrewshire to be halted. 

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The Gazette understands he also assaulted an officer during the pursuit. 

Despite throwing stones at officers and attempting to flee, he was eventually nabbed in a nearby garden. 

Inspector Cassie Glass told The Gazette the incident was another reminder of why people should ensure their doors are locked.

She added: "This was an opportunistic thief going door-to-door and chancing his arm. 

"People need to keep their doors locked at all times, especially if they are not in the house."