BERLIN (AP) - A herd of wild boars has thwarted a suspected car thief's getaway in northern Germany.

Police in Schwerin say the 18-year-old abandoned a stolen SUV he was driving Thursday after failing to shake off a chasing patrol car by driving into a field.

Police nabbed his passenger immediately. But they say the driver initially got away by running into nearby woods.

Officers then heard the fugitive shouting for help - he had run into a herd of angry wild boars that were keen to protect their young.

Police freed the man from the boars and took him into custody.

Wild boars are a common sight in forested areas of northern Germany. They often make themselves at home in residential neighborhoods, too, uprooting gardens and annoying homeowners.