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Police operation in the Netherlands (symbol image)
Photo: Robert vt Hoenderdaal/Getty Images
The Dutch police report a curious chase: On a surfboard, a policeman pursued a suspected burglar who wanted to escape by jumping into a canal.
When a patrol wanted to check the suspect after an attempted break-in early Sunday morning in Badhoevedorp, he initially drove away in a car.
On the way, the 32-year-old stopped and jumped into a canal to shake off his pursuers.
With temperatures around freezing point, the patrolman did not want to jump into the water.
But then he discovered a surfboard on a jetty, which he used to cross the canal.
Stolen goods found in car
According to the police, the suspect initially continued his escape on the other bank, but jumped into the water again when other emergency services approached.
Officials equipped with diving suits finally arrested the fugitive.
The hypothermic man was first taken to a clinic and then to what the police emphasized was a warm cell.
Items stolen from a burglary were later found in his car.
bbr/dpa