Thief used custom-made fishing rod to steal vast array of bras and panties over three-year period

Police in the eastern Chinese city of Liyang have caught an underwear thief after he was found to have stashed more than 285 worn bras and 185 worn panties in his van.

The 32-year-old lingerie thief was caught in September with the haul of underwear as well as 102 other items of clothing in a routine check on a suspicious van.



According to local police, the thief reportedly used a custom-made tool similar to a fishing rod to steal the undergarments. The haul of unmentionables takes up the space of half a basketball court when laid out together. Police said the amount of stolen items was sufficient for a criminal case to be launched.

The man confessed that his crime spree had not been brief, but had been stealing the items of clothing over a three-year period. He told police that he started stealing only a few items at first but soon became unable to control himself, stealing the clothes more frequently. Police said they will seek psychological help for the man.