James Nash (26), of Dunedin, was located by police during a routine traffic stop in Balclutha on Tuesday night.
Nash was driving a Honda City vehicle he is charged with unlawfully taking from Christchurch.
It is alleged he had in his possession three altered forks and a set of 21 car keys when he was stopped.
It is alleged Nash unlawfully took ''Little Sucker'', a mud truck used to clear sumps and mud traps, from Barry Dell Plumbing in Dunedin a week ago and drove it to Christchurch.
He then ditched the truck there, before taking the Honda vehicle, police say.
The truck was found abandoned in Christchurch two days later, camouflaged with grey paint.
Nash is also charged with stealing petrol costing $58.84 from a Caltex petrol station in Dunedin, unlawfully entering a property, unlawfully taking a vehicle and theft.
He is facing charges of unlawfully taking a vehicle and possessing an instrument with intent to use it to take a vehicle in relation to events in Christchurch.
Nash is also charged with possessing a knife in a public place, the Rosebank Lodge, in Clyde St, Balclutha, on Tuesday.
He was remanded without entering a plea, to reappear in the Dunedin District Court this morning.
