Spain: Contortionist thief hid in suitcase

[June 10, 2011]  MADRID (AP) -- Police say a contortionist curled up inside a large suitcase in the cargo bay of an airport bus and snuck out to steal from other people's luggage.

A Catalan region police official said Thursday the man arrested last week was 1.78 meters (5 ft., 10 inches) tall and very thin.

He says an accomplice placed him in the cargo bay of a bus running from Barcelona's Girona airport to the city inside the suitcase, boarded the bus, and then retrieved him at the end of the line.

During the 100-kilometer (60-mile) ride, the man slipped out of the suitcase and use a sharp object to pick locks or open zippers to get into other people's luggage.

The police official would not give his name because of department rules.

[Associated Press; By DANIEL WOOLLS]

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