On a surfboard, an Amsterdam 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 yesterday morning, he initially drove away in a car, the police said today.
On the way, the 32-year-old stopped and jumped into a canal to shake off his pursuers. With temperatures around freezing, the patrolman was afraid to jump into the water, but then discovered a surfboard on a jetty, which he used to cross the canal.
The suspect initially continued his escape on the other bank, but jumped into the water again when other police officers 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.