The Mexican criminal who packed in too much

Mexican police foiled a prison inmate's attempt to escape folded inside a suitcase. How is that possible?

Inmate Juan Ramirez Tijerina curled inside a suitcase after he tried to escape from prison.
No wonder Mexican police were gobsmacked when they found an inmate trying to break out of prison – he was folded inside his partner's suitcase. Juan Ramirez Tijerina was found squashed up and wearing only his socks and underwear by officers suspicious after noticing the bulkiness of his girlfriend's wheelie case. But he's not the only criminal with baggage. A flexible 1.78m-tall thief repeatedly hid in a 90cm by 50cm wheelie bag to steal from tourists on a bus route in Spain recently. But how do you pack yourself so small? According to the Guinness Book of Records, American performer Leslie Tipton can be holiday-ready in just 5.43 seconds. While professional contortionist Rubber Ritchie from agency Contraband International can become a carry-on in just 30 seconds. He started his flexible career 10 years ago, after buying a book about yoga at university, and offers his top tips on how to stuff yourself into a suitcase (kids: don't try this at home!): 1 If you want to make ends meet, buy the biggest suitcase you can. I am quite an average-sized man, and not as small as most contortionists. My shoulders are quite broad so they are the biggest problem – you just have to try to curve them round as best you can. 2 Lie the suitcase flat on the floor and open it up completely. 3 Stand in one corner and lower yourself down until you are squatting into a foetal position, then lie on your side. 4 Tuck your head in and try to scrunch yourself up. Keep your arms and hands inside your bent torso – you could try putting them across your chest. 5 Get someone to zip you up. Don't do this all the way as you need some air in there. To be honest it's terrifying to be in there even for a minute, really claustrophobic. 6 There is another hazard that should stop you trying this at home – if you have ever been to a yoga class you know that any foetal position will release wind. Not great in an enclosed space.