Man Accused of Stealing Gold Jewelry in Turkey Flees on Donkey Before Arrest

Authorities in Turkey say a man accused of stealing gold jewelry from a shop made an unusual getaway by fleeing the scene on a donkey.

The suspect allegedly snatched several pieces of gold jewelry from a store in southeastern Turkey before escaping through nearby streets on the animal. Surveillance footage shared by local media shows the man riding the donkey at speed as startled bystanders look on.

Police said the theft happened during business hours, catching store employees off guard. The stolen items were reportedly high-value gold pieces, a common and popular investment in Turkey, where gold jewelry is often purchased for weddings and special occasions.

Officers launched a search soon after the incident and were able to track down and detain the suspect. Authorities said the stolen jewelry was recovered.

Local officials did not release further details about how the man obtained the donkey or how far he traveled before being caught. The incident quickly drew attention on social media, with many users expressing disbelief at the unconventional escape attempt.

The suspect faces charges related to theft, police said.