Darlington police responded to an alarm at a check-advance business where they found a naked man who’d slipped into the building through an air vent in an apparent burglary attempt.
Michael Gilbert, 22, of 602 Joe Louise Blvd., Darlington, faces burglary charges in connection with the incident, Darlington Police Lt. Danny Watson said.
Officers responded to the Check ’n Go at 508-2 Pearl St. at 12:40 a.m. Thursday and found interior roof tiles, insulation, wires and metal braces hanging from the roof as well as lying on the floor, according to reports. The door and windows were closed.
Shortly afterward, the reporting officer noticed a foot hanging from the roof.
The officer reported that he noticed the man moving along the interior ceiling tiles before jumping to the floor of the business. The man was naked and bleeding from his feet and had cuts and scrapes all over his body, as well, according to police reports.
The man then tried to open the door and leave, and officers ordered him to sit on the floor, the report shows. When a keyholder arrived, the officers went inside and handcuffed the man. He was later taken to a local hospital and treated before authorities took him to the Darlington County Detention Center, where he was booked on burglary charges.
The suspect probably got into the business by climbing or falling down the air conditioner shaft and onto the interior roof tiles, according to the police report. He likely was naked so he would more easily slide through the air vent, Watson said.
The Darlington Fire Department said its ladder truck was inoperable, so officers were unable to reach the roof to get the suspect’s clothing or secure the overturned air-conditioning unit, the report shows.
The business doesn’t keep money after hours. Police were able to respond quickly because of the alarm system, which every business should have, Watson said.
