Alert store clerk foils burglary suspect in ceiling
BURLINGTON (WTVD) -- A burglary suspect had it all planned out: Stroll into a convenience store right before it closed. Hide like a spider in the ceiling. Wait for everyone to leave. Then take what he wanted.
Only one problem: An alert store clerk suspected he was literally up to no good -- and told Burlington Police.
The incident happened about 10:50 p.m. Thursday. The clerk at the Citgo gas station at 3503 S. Church St. called police after she became suspicious of a man who went into the restroom and didn't come back out.
The clerk told officers she believed the man had climbed into the ceiling and was waiting for the store to close shortly so he could steal merchandise.
Officers went into the restroom, which was empty. They called out but received no answer. Finally officers grabbed a ladder and started removing ceiling tiles. Up in the corner, hiding in the far back near the manager's office, they found their guy.
Benjamin Demitrious Burrough, 19, of the 700 block of Boone Station Drive, was brought down from the ceiling. Officers also found a backpack containing burglary tools.
Burrough was charged with felony breaking and entering, felony possession of burglary tools and misdemeanor injury to real property for the damage done to ceiling tiles.
He is being held at the Alamance County Jail under a $10,000 secured bond.
Citizens are asked to contact the Burlington Police Department if they have information concerning this incident at 336-229-3500 or Crimestoppers at 336-229-7100.
