Bizarre moment on-the-run burglar SWIMS to tiny island and scales a tree in frantic bid to escape cops

THIS is the bizarre moment a burglar on-the-run swims to a tiny island and scales a tree in a frantic bid to escape cops.

Chad Lambert, 35, fled the scene after smashing his way through a store in Bristol on October 19 - leaving staff terrified.

Workers attempted to challenge the thug which only aggravated him more.

Lambert was then able to get behind the counter, nab a bottle of wine and empty all the cash from the till.

The burglar legged it to a nearby park where he stripped off his clothes and dumped his bag.

He then got into the lake and began swimming to the small island in the centre.

Shop staff had alerted police who chased Lambert to the park on foot.

Drones were then sent up into the air which showed the thief attempting to hide in a tree.

Footage shows Lambert, a small red figure, try and camouflage himself within the leaves.

Avon and Somerset Police were aided by local fire crews who provided a boat to take them to Lambert's location.

Officers were able to arrest Lambert and later charge him with aggravated burglary.

He pleaded guilty at Bristol Magistrates’ Court last week and was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison.