Thai police executed an inventive undercover operation during Lunar New Year celebrations in Bangkok to arrest a suspect accused of stealing valuable Buddhist artefacts, including Buddha statues worth tens of thousands of dollars.

Officers responding to an earlier report of a home burglary in a suburban district had limited leads and placed the property under surveillance for weeks before devising a novel plan to catch the suspect.

With the investigation stalling, police integrated themselves into a traditional lion dance procession at a nearby Buddhist temple, blending with participants and spectators amid the festive crowd.

Dressed in a red and yellow lion costume, officers gradually closed in on the suspect before one officer emerged from the lion’s head and, with assistance from colleagues, surprised him and brought him to the ground to effect his arrest.

Authorities said the suspect is accused of stealing about $64,000 worth of Buddhist artefacts, including two 12-inch Buddha statues.

The strategy took advantage of the lively cultural event to mask police activity and approach the suspect without raising suspicion, turning a customary performance into a successful law enforcement tactic.

Police released footage of the moment the suspect was apprehended, showing the bright lion costume moving through the crowd before officers seized their target.

Officials described the approach as both creative and practical, illustrating how traditional cultural practices can be leveraged in policing when conventional surveillance yields few options.

The operation has drawn attention for its ingenuity and effectiveness, underscoring law enforcement’s adaptability in addressing challenging criminal investigations.

The suspect was taken into custody without injury during the festive celebration.