A man accused to stealing fish stayed under water in a fish pond for more than two hours at the Longville Park Farm in Clarendon yesterday in a bid to escape from the police.

We couldnt believe that anyone could stay under water for so long, a curious onlooker told Chat! at the scene.

We have never seen anything like this, bwoy, wi give up, cause wi neva si how anybody coulda hold dem breath fi dat dey amount a time, another person who was observing the whole drama told Chat!.

It all unfolded about 12 noon yesterday when the owner of the farm Danny Bunting observed the man illegally fishing from the pond. Bunting then drove up behind him and upon seeing the approaching van, tried to make his escape.

His luck ran out as he was cornered by Buntings son. Seeing his escape route was cut off, the thief jumped into the pond.

A report was made to the police who turned up promptly on the scene.

The police stayed for over two hours with the thief showing no sign of life, a Chat! source explained. It was only after the police voiced the suspicion that he might have drowned the decision was taken to call in a diver.

After making several attempts the diver found the thief lying at the bottom, holding his nose.

The Old Harbour Police confirmed the incident, informing that the accused is facing a praedial larceny charge.