DUNGUN, MALAYSIA - His undressing proved to be his undoing. A copper wire thief was detained after two alert policemen spotted him soaking wet and clad only in underwear. In the incident near the Jerangau bridge here on Monday, the policemen noticed a car by the roadside and a set of clothes on the seat. After several minutes, a 33-year-man approached the car.

When the policemen questioned him, he confessed to swimming across the river to a telemetry station to cut several rolls of copper wire.

State Criminal Investigation Department deputy chief Superintendent Khairi Ahrasa said the man was arrested and will be investigated for theft.