A Police officer died early this morning after he was stabbed by a suspect of a theft case in Lautoka last night.

The 24-year-old Police officer was based at the Lautoka Police Station.

The officer was deployed with a team of investigators to attend to a separate case in Buabua and upon leaving the Western Division Headquarters in Lautoka, another report was received regarding the 25-year-old suspect who was allegedly seen on top of the roof of a building in town.

The team pursued the suspect by car and by foot.

The 24-year-old Police officer managed to apprehend the suspect near the Churchill Park Grounds.

In the process the suspect allegedly took out a kitchen knife and stabbed the officer several times.

The Police officer was rushed to the Lautoka Hospital, where he passed away just before 2am this morning.

The suspect was arrested near Ba and is in custody at the Ba Police Station.

Investigations continue.