Bizarre moment burglar on-the-run swims to tiny island and climbs a tree in desperate bid to escape from police

A burglar on the run made a dramatic attempt to evade police by swimming across a lake to a small island, where he climbed a tree to avoid detection.

The bizarre incident took place on October 19, when 35-year-old Chad Lambert fled the scene of a brazen shop burglary in Bristol.

Lambert made his way through the store and was confronted by store employees who challenged him about his behavior.

However, this action only provoked the thief further as he managed to force his way behind the shop till, obtaining the contents and a bottle of wine.

When staff reported the incident to local police, the 35-year-old fled on foot to a nearby park in the hope that he could evade authorities under the cover of darkness.

Amid the ensuing chaos, Lambert made the decision to swim across the park lake to the small island in the center.

Chad Lambert (pictured) pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary at Bristol Magistrates Court last week and was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison

Lambert stripped off and threw his bag behind him, entered the water and eventually managed to wade across to what he thought would be safe.

After successfully climbing a tree on the island, the thief had assumed that the combination of foliage and darkness would obscure his location.

Unfortunately for Lambert, the pursuing Avon and Somerset Police had access to drones, which, once in the air, clearly directed authorities to his exact position.

In the surreal images, Lambert can be seen as a small red figure trying to hide among the leaves and branches.

Local firefighters were then ready to assist the police by providing a boat to take them to the island where Lambert was hiding.

Lambert eventually arrested the evading thief and was charged with aggravated burglary by Avon and Somerset police.

When the 35-year-old appeared at Bristol Magistrates Court last week, he pleaded guilty to the charge and was jailed for 26 weeks as a result.