A man who turned up to court in Adelaide on charges of illegally using a motor vehicle has been arrested for allegedly driving there in another stolen car.

Key points: A man appeared in court on charges of illegally using a motor vehicle

A man appeared in court on charges of illegally using a motor vehicle Police discovered the car he drove there in was allegedly stolen last week

Police discovered the car he drove there in was allegedly stolen last week They have encouraged his partner to catch the bus when she also appears in court next month

Police noticed the blue Holden sedan in a fast food car park opposite the Christies Beach Police Station, south of Adelaide, yesterday.

They soon discovered it has been stolen from the suburb of Blakeview, north of Adelaide, last week.

The alleged driver, a 34-year-old Whyalla Norrie man, had just attended the nearby Christies Beach Magistrates Court on charges of illegally using a motor vehicle.

He and his passenger, a 23-year-old Whyalla Stuart woman, were both arrested and charged with another count of illegally using a motor vehicle.

"He'd actually stolen a car and turned up to court to face charges of car theft," Senior Constable Rebecca Stokes said.

The driver was also charged with driving while disqualified.

He did not apply for bail and will reappear in court this afternoon.

The woman was granted bail to attend the Christies Beach Magistrates Court next month.

"We're hoping that when his partner attends court next month she catches the bus and we just break this vicious cycle," Senior Constable Stokes said.

She also does not have a drivers licence, Senior Constable Stokes said.

Alleged car thieves ran out of petrol

In a separate incident, two men were arrested after the stolen car they were travelling in ran out of petrol yesterday morning.

Just after 5:00am, a police patrol spotted a Holden wagon at the intersection of Cross Road and Marion Road at South Plympton.

A check on the car revealed it had been reported stolen from Woodville South.

The driver, attempted to speed away from the patrol on Anzac Highway, but the car quickly came to a spluttering stop just past Marion Road, when it ran out of petrol.

The driver remained with the vehicle, but the passenger made a run for it.

The male passenger was located by a police dog and his handler a short time later.

The passenger, a 29-year-old man from Kidman Park, was arrested and charged with illegal use of a motor vehicle and going equipped to commit an offence, after he was allegedly found in possession of a mask.

The driver, a 33-year-old man of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with illegal use of a motor vehicle and driving while disqualified.

Both men are expected to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court at later date.