LUNDU, Sarawak - Jobless and desperate to feed his family, a 45-year-old man opted to steal for a living.

He broke into homes, a school and even cars to feed his wife and his five children.

For a year-and-a-half, he evaded the law until police picked him up at his house in Kampung Tembaga on Wednesday evening.

He was caught with several stolen items in his house, including a scuba gear, a flat screen TV, digital camera and several car stereos.

Police estimated the value of the stolen items at RM40,000 (S$17,248).

With the arrest, police believe they have solved five break-in cases in SMK Sematan, two thefts at a nearby holiday resort and three other house break-ins in Lundu district.

Lundu police chief Deputy Superintendent Wong Chee Kiong said the suspect had no previous record.

The man had been remanded pending investigation.