Alleged thief found unconscious in JB Hi-Fi after falling through ceiling
A luckless alleged thief has been charged with aggravated break and enter after crashing through the ceiling of a JB Hi Fi store in Sydney’s northwest.
Police found the man unconscious in the shop at Rouse Hill when they arrived at 3am on Thursday.
His alleged accomplices had fled with thousands of dollars’ worth of mobile phones.
Police believe the ambitious break-in was a highly thought-out plan to breach the store’s secure security systems.
“Access has been gained through the ceiling of the store. The actual method to lower themselves to the ground at this stage is still being investigated,” Chief Inspector Jason McSweeney said.
Having entered through the loading dock, the thieves thought they were alone, stealing phones from the store room until an alarm was triggered.
One of them panicked and ran but he didn’t make it far, falling almost eight metres through the ceiling.
“He’s been somewhat lucky in his fall from grace and has landed on a table, which may have assisted in preventing more significant injuries to the male,” Chief Inspector McSweeney said.
When police arrived, he was unconscious.
“Police waited for a few short minutes and that male regained consciousness and attempted to avoid police and was later arrested,” Chief Inspector McSweeney said.
At least one other man got away with dozens of phones.
Police believe the man could already be trying to sell the tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of stock on the black market and on sites including eBay and Gumtree.
“Some of these phones are likely to go out into the black market and the message is buyer beware,” Chief Inspector McSweeney added.
With no witnesses, the key to finding the phones now lies with the man who is under police guard in Westmead hospital.
Police are hoping his answers will help track down at least one other man responsible.
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