A 38-year-old Port Fairy man was arrested on Monday afternoon after he allegedly stole a bottle of Cougar Bourbon valued at $35 from the Port Fairy IGA around 3.30pm on Saturday.

A 44-year-old man, taking up temporary residence at a Port Fairy caravan park, was also arrested on Monday afternoon after he allegedly stole a two-litre bottle of coke valued at $3 from the same supermarket on Friday at 6.30pm.

Port Fairy Sergeant David Walkley said police were able to arrest the two men thanks to the help of the local community.

"With the assistance of CCTV footage and some local knowledge police were able to quickly identify them," he said.

"The incident was reported to Port Fairy police mid-Monday afternoon and by 4pm both offenders had been identified, arrested and interviewed. It was great work."

Sergeant Walkley said the two incidents were unrelated.

"One of the men was known to police and both men have an extensive criminal history."

They will appear at Warrnambool Magistrates' Court on November 18, each on one count of theft.

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