A Wallaceburg man was punched in the head last night after confronting a thief who stole his bicycle.

Around 6:30 p.m. last night a owner of a bicycle was at a home on First Street in Wallaceburg; when the thief was seen by a citizen in the area stealing the mans bicycle from the front porch.

Around 8:00 p.m. the owner of the bicycle, an 18-year-old resident of Wallaceburg, saw the thief on Dufferin Avenue riding the bicycle.  The owner of the bicycle stopped the theif and confronted him, but the thief  fled on foot. The owner gave chase of the bicycle, and managed to stop the thief again. While the owner was holding the man waiting for police arrive, the thief punched him in the head several times.

The owner of the bicycle required medical attention at Sydenham District Hospital.

Upon police arrival, the thief was arrested and the bicycle valued at $50 was returned to the owner.

The 21-year-old man of no fixed address has been charged with assault causing bodily harm, theft under $5000 and possession of property obtained by a crime under $5000.  He has been held in custody pending a bail hearing.