WUHAN -- A suspected "tomb raider" has been caught after 23 years on the run, police in central China's Hubei province said Sunday.

Li Yihai was apprehended Wednesday in South China's Hainan province, police confirmed.

In March 1994, one of more than 300 ancient tombs in Hubei's Jishan Township was raided by thieves who stole a female corpse, as well as other valuable artifacts. The corpse, believed to be more than 2,400 years old, was recovered 39 days later.

Some 23 suspects were detained and more than 20 stolen artifacts retrieved, but Li got away.

Police continued to search for Li for more than two decades, before locating him this month.