Maybe the young man's heart was in the right place, but the end doesn't justify the means.

Li, who works for an architectural firm in Jimo, Shandong Province, wanted money to buy his girlfriend a golden ring so much, police say he stole materials from the firm and sold them.

Police arrested him last Sunday, saying they caught him in the act on the fourth time.

The ring cost 2,000 yuan ($256), and Li promised the girlfriend he would buy it for her within one month. When he ran into money problems, he said he turned to selling the materials, from which he had raised 1,500 yuan ($192). Police said he shouted "I love you" as they carted him off.