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Would be burglar falls through store roof causing thousands in damage

Posted at 12:15 PM, Dec 09, 2019
and last updated 2019-12-09 13:52:38-05

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A burglar's plan to break into a Buffalo convenience store via the roof was foiled after he got trapped in the ceiling and ultimately crashed to the floor.

Buffalo Police were called to the Walden Convenient Store, near the intersection of Walden Avenue and Bailey Avenue, just before 4 a.m. on Sunday for a burglary in progress. When they arrived, police found an injured man on the floor of the business with the ceiling extensively damaged and caved in.

The owner of the business, Mohammad Nasir, says the suspect had tried to break-in via the roof but then was trapped in the ceiling before he fell through, tearing down roof tiles, wires and insulation. Nasir believes the damage to his building and merchandise is between $15,000 and $20,000.

The suspect, 29-year-old Reginald Branch of Buffalo, was taken to ECMC where, police say, 10 packs of Newport cigarettes fell out of his pants. Branch has been charged with burglary, criminal mischief and criminal possession of stolen property.