Police in Hengelo have used a bra fitted with a special transmitter to catch a man who had been stealing underwear from washing lines, local broadcaster RTV Oost reported.

Local policeman Tom Hamhuis came up with the idea after a local woman reported in August that her underwear had been stolen from the garden washing line. Police at first thought it was a joke, but took the issue more seriously when a bunch of red roses were left on the woman’s doorstep.

They put up surveillance cameras, but they failed to capture a good photograph of the thief. Then Hamhuis decided to use a transmitter to try to trace the stolen goods.

The thief struck again and was arrested. Police found underwear from several different people at his home and have appealed for other victims to come forward.