A British tourist caught stealing a music CD and a magazine from a local shop in Koh Phangan eluded police for almost two hours by running into the sea and swimming away from the shore. The owner of a music and book shop at a market near Thong Sala caught the 25-year-old suspect, identified only as Marc, stealing a CD and a magazine at about 8 a.m. on Sept. 24.

Instead of returning the stolen items, the suspect ran towards the pier. The shop owner gave chase but later called the police after the suspect had jumped into the water and started swimming away.

The police had to call in a speed boat to chase the suspect. Koh Phangan police chief Charoon Uchupab said the suspect was a good swimmer that it took them about two hours to pluck him out of the water.

At the police station, Marc confessed it was not the first time he stole items from the shop. He said he often did it when the shop owner was busy with other customers.

He said he had stolen about 30 CDs and 10 magazines from the shop all this time. -- CA