| minusonebit |
03-31-2006 07:28 AM |
Alleged bank robber stuck in chimney
Some people just shouldnt try to play Santa Claus.
Alleged bank robber stuck in chimney
Jose Estrada was feeling the heat from two directions: from the furnace at the bottom of the chimney, where he had been stuck for over an hour, and from above the chimney, where police officers were waiting to arrest him.
The 25-year-old man allegedly had attempted to gain entrance into a bank through the building's chimney on March 23.
According to Chief Robert Perales of the Granger Police Department in Washington, the break-in went awry because the suspect was unaware that the chimney would get narrower the further down he went. Estrada became stuck about 10-12 feet into his journey, Perales said.
The bank manager and an employee contacted police after they arrived at the bank at about 8:40 a.m. and heard noises coming from the furnace. When officers arrived at the scene, Estrada yelled for help and informed them that he was in the chimney.
Perales said only the alleged burglar's hands were visible when officers peered down the chimney with a flash light.
"We read him his rights and then asked him what he was doing down there," the Chief said.
Estrada reportedly responded, "What do you think? I'm trying to rob the bank."
Firefighters rescued the sooty would-be burglar after 45 minutes and transported him to the Granger Police Department, where he attempted to escape after officers removed his handcuffs so he could allegedly use the restroom. An officer tackled him outside of the station, Perales said.
Estrada was charged with burglary, felony malicious mischief for damage to the bank's roof, escape and resisting arrest. He is being held at the Yakima County Jail.
http://www.courttv.com/people/scm/033006_ctv.html
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