A man sleeping in a caravan in Wellington woke to find it in the process of being stolen while he was still inside.

Photo: Google Maps

The man, who had been sleeping in the caravan at a Petone property, called police about midnight to tell them the caravan was on the move.

He was able to update officers about exactly where the thieves were taking him, police said.

A ute towing the caravan drove from Petone over the Wainuiomata hill, where it was stopped by police.

The ute driver did not know anyone was in the caravan until stopped by officers, police said.

The man inside the caravan was unharmed.

Police found a pump-action BB gun and rounds of ammunition in the ute.

A 36-year-old man was due to appear in the Lower Hutt District Court this morning to face charges of theft, possession of ammunition and burglary.