Officers were called to the Giltbrook retail park shortly before 3am on March 25 when the victim was assaulted during a reported attempt to steal his motorcycle.
Two suspects fled the scene, prompting a search of the area by Police Dog Max and his handler.
Working at the end of a long tracking line, the German shepherd soon picked up a scent and led his handler towards the park in Smithurst Road.
In the darkness, Max hurried towards a bridge over a stream where he found and detained a suspect.
The 39-year-old suspect was then arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery, and investigations into what happened continue.
Inspector Lisa Schooling, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was another excellent example of what an experienced dog and handler can achieve together.
“Working in the darkness Max used his nose to follow a scent and catch up with the suspect who may even have avoided detection by a drone.
“Our investigation into what happened will now continue.”
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 101 quoting incident 25 of 25 March 2025.