Ananova:

A Chinese thief who went on a high-altitude crime spree robbing airline passengers in mid-flight has been arrested.

Li Mingwan would buy cheap tickets and fly to rich cities or regions to plunder unsuspecting passengers in mid-air.

Police said he flew on 209 flights over a 15 month period buying cheap tickets on flights to wealthy cities and targeted businessmen, stealing from them while they were asleep or watching in-flight movies.

But he was caught at Shijiazhuang airport when a passenger sitting in front of him reported a theft on a flight to cabin crew who called ahead to police at the airport.

Li, from a sleepy township in Henan province, allegedly confessed to stealing at least £25,000 to police.

Police say he admitted: "It's much easier to steal on a plane, since people are usually asleep, or watching movies. My success rate was above 40 per cent."

He is now awaiting trial