Contortionist Luggage Thief Hid in Suitcase

A man was arrested in Spain after curling himself up inside a large suitcase that was placed in an airport bus cargo bay and sneaking out to steal from other people's luggage, police said today. The man arrested last week was 5-10 and very thin, and an accomplice was also arrested. The suspects were successful on several occasions before being caught, a police official said.

The accomplice would place the contortionist thief—zipped up in a suitcase—inside the cargo bay of a bus running from the airport, board the bus, and then retrieve him at the end of the line. During the 60-mile ride, the man would slip out of the suitcase and use a sharp object to pick locks or open zippers to get into other people's luggage. Police were alerted by bus riders who reported items stolen from their baggage. (More Spain stories.)