The 37-year-old, who is from Uruguay, allegedly stole $125,000 in 16 separate break-ins during the past month.

He was nabbed by Hawkesbury police at McGraths Hill last Wednesday morning after officers were alerted to a break-in occurring at Hungry Jacks at about 1.50am.

Officers from Windsor, along with dog squad members and police from the strike force unit set up to investigate the thefts, arrived at the scene to see the man flee.

Following a short foot pursuit, he was arrested and taken to Windsor Police Station for questioning. Police say when they checked the premises they found it had been broken into; however, the man was disturbed by police before being able to steal any cash or property.

Officers who searched the area allegedly found implements used to break into the premises including a reticulating saw and a power drill.

The man's crime spree included 16 break-ins at fast food restaurants and a service station across Sydney's south-west and north-west including premises at Bonnyrigg, Carramar, Campbelltown, Glenwood, Hoxton Park, Milperra, Minchinbury, Minto and Narellan as well as in Bathurst.

During the weekend prior to his arrest, he allegedly broke into five premises in two nights at restaurants in Narellan, Hoxton Park, Minto and Campbelltown.

He was refused bail by police and appeared before Windsor Local Court last Wednesday on 33 charges comprising eight break and enter, eight break and enter with intent offences, 16 counts of unauthorised impairment of electronic communication and being armed with intent to commit a serious indictable offence.

He was refused bail by the court and ordered to re-appear on November 6 at Penrith Local Court. Investigations into the break and enters are continuing. North West metropolitan region commander, Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford said the arrest could not have happened without the assistance provided to police by the restaurant owners.