Dumbass of the week

Police in the Bavarian city of Ingolstadt were stunned when a thief they had just released from custody stole an officer's bicycle on his way out and rode off on it, authorities said Thursday.

"They could scarcely believe his cheek," said a spokesman for Ingolstadt police. "It's almost impossible to beat."

Police had earlier arrested the 22-year-old man of Tunisian origin after he was caught stealing handbags and only released him on condition he report back to them later.

After he was set free, an observant officer spotted the man helping himself to the bicycle outside the station. Police gave chase and quickly re-arrested him, the spokesman said.

"He claimed he thought it belonged to a friend," he added. "He won't be getting out of jail so quickly this time."