It was shortly after 3 o'clock on Friday that the police were called to a store on Storgatan in Vetlanda due to a burglary in progress.
The witness had seen a man inside the shop and a bag outside.
A window in the store was also smashed.
In connection with the observation, a security guard appeared who took up the hunt for the man who ran from the scene.
The police also followed and were then able to arrest the man.
He is now suspected of theft by burglary.
The police have now cordoned off the store to carry out a crime scene investigation during the day.