Alleged thief arrested after staff discover he had been stuck for hours in roof: Vision

Early-morning noises reported by staff at a Sunshine Coast business led to the discovery of an alleged thief who had become stuck in the roof cavity.

A would-be thief who became stuck in the roof cavity above a toilet block at a hotel had to be rescued by police, who then arrested him.

Police were alerted to the alleged thief’s movements when staff reported hearing noises from inside a toilet block at the rear of a hotel in Landsborough, north of Brisbane, about 6am on Wednesday.

Peek-a-boo! The man is spotted by police stuck in the roof cavity of a hotel toilet block. Picture: Supplied / Qld Police

Vision of the arrest released by police shows officers pushing open a door to reveal broken plaster on the ground and over a toilet, while a man’s face can be seen through a gaping hole in the ceiling.

Wearing gloves, police assisted the man, who was dressed just in shorts, sweating and appeared to have scrapes on his legs, to the floor before handcuffing him and walking him out to the waiting divisional van.

The leg of the alleged thief can be seen as he is assisted down by police. Picture: Supplied / Qld

“You’re under arrest, you know that, then we will give you water and everything like that,” police told the man immediately after he was assisted down.

The North Booval man, 30, had apparently been trapped for several hours.

Almost there. The alleged thief is almost freed but not for long. He is immediately arrested before being water and marched away. Picture: Supplied: Qld Police

Police allege the man had gained entry to another room of the hotel via the roof, causing damage to equipment and roof sheeting.

The alleged thief is placed in the back of a divisional van after being rescued from a roof cavity in a toilet block at the rear of a hotel. Picture: Qld Police.

He has been charged with break and enter and will appear at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday.