EXCLUSIVE

6:25 AM PT -- Bella's security detail actually tracked the suspect as he was leaving the area around her building Thursday night. We're told police eventually nabbed him about a mile north of her apartment.Bella Hadid^[1] felt a guy who's allegedly been threatening her on the Internet got a little too close -- and, thanks to her quick thinking, police were able to bust him ... TMZ has learned.

The 37-year-old man was arrested Thursday around 9:30 PM ... according to our law enforcement sources. We're told the model's security called police after she noticed the man had posted a photo of her apartment building.

Cops believe the suspect is the same man who's been sending Bella messages over social media, which she considered threatening, since October.

He was arrested shortly after Bella's security called it in, but it's unclear where he was when NYPD caught up to him. We're told he was booked for aggravated harassment and stalking, and was still in custody as of Thursday night.

References^ Bella Hadid (www.tmz.com)

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