Police catch 'Spider-Man' thief after 15-story chase up building

Police nabbed a nimble thief that gave chase up 15 floors while clinging to the side of an apartment building in Changzhou, Jiangsu province, local media reported on Wednesday.

The man surnamed Wei, 25, was taken into custody on the rooftop the a 27-floor building in the city's Yikang Garden community, ending a 12-hour police standoff early Tuesday morning.

The sticky-handed thief was first spotted by a resident from her 13th-floor window around noon Monday, who quickly called the cops.

Police arrived to find Wei directly below on the 12th floor, where the apartment's resident told officers he was a "friend."

Wei, however, brandished a knife at police before jumping onto the windowsill and threatening to jump. The cornered Wei eventually managed to drive officers out and lock the door, where he remained for most of the day.

Around 10 pm, Wei put his "spidey skills" to use and began his two-hour climb up the building thanks to a drain pipe, only to be met by police officers waiting for him at the top.

Wei told authorities he had come to borrow some money from his friend and only threatened suicide on the windowsill after he was turned down.

Police later discovered Wei had a criminal record for theft, said local media.

The case is still under investigation.