Officers were on patrol when they spotted a blue Volvo linked to a disqualified driver on the ESSO petrol station forecourt in Woodhouse Way, Nuthall, on March 9.
They approached the car and inquiries at the scene found it had been driven by the disqualified driver, who had a passenger with him.
One of the officers noticed several tools in the back of the car that are associated with car theft offences.
Face coverings, gloves and a headtorch were also found, with cannabis discovered in the passenger’s coat pocket.
Both men said they did not own the vehicle and refused to state who did, giving rise to a suspicion that it was stolen.
The driver, aged 38, was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, going equipped to steal, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance.
The passenger, aged 30, was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, going equipped to steal and possession of a class B drug.
Whilst in custody, the passenger was further arrested in connection with a separate robbery.
Both suspects were questioned and later bailed pending further investigation work.
PC Chris Heathcote said: “Our patrol teams are always on the look-out for criminal activity and will always act on anything they're suspicious about.
“As demonstrated by these arrests, we’ll continue to disrupt those who look to profit from theft and will thoroughly investigate all types of vehicle crime.”