Feb 26, 2007 By Rebekah Sungala 3 min read

Uniontown police are looking for a burglar who broke into Woodlands World by knocking a hole through the ceiling, crawling across the rafters and sliding down a pole. City Detective Donald M. Gmitter said officers responded to the outdoors store, located at 27 W. Main St., at 11:37 p.m. Saturday, when the burglar alarms were activated.

Officer Ray Miller said the rear door of the store, which faces South Street, was open when he arrived on scene and was notified by Fayette County 911 the interior motion alarm preceded the exterior door alarm.

Nemacolin Woodlands security said Miller arrived quickly after the alarm was activated and secured the scene.

Miller said he and Nemacolin Woodlands security officer Joe Bowlen checked the building and found nothing missing.

Gmitter said further investigation conducted Sunday morning shows the man entered the store by climbing on top the roof and going through an unlocked door that led to the ceiling.

In order to get on the roof, the man is believed to have climbed a metal gate between the Fayette County Republican Headquarters and Color Works, which would have allowed him to climb onto the roof of Color Works, Gmitter said. From there, the man is believed to have hoisted a 10-foot ladder onto the roof of Color Works so that he could climb onto the National Career School roof.

Gmitter said the man used a 5-gallon bucket to stand on so he could gain access to the Woodlands World roof and enter the building though an unlocked door.

Once inside the building, the man used something to break through the wall, which then allowed him to crawl across the rafters until he came to a ceiling mounted television.

Gmitter said the man slid down the pole holding the television before lowering himself onto a glass display case housing fly-fishing merchandise.

According to Gmitter, the man, at some point, allegedly grabbed a fly-fishing pole and stashed it in the rafters.

Boot prints were found on the glass case, Gmitter said, noting that two pieces of red rope and a 10-foot aluminum ladder were also found.

Store security supplied police with a surveillance photo of a white male wearing a black hat, blue jacket, dark jeans and boots leaving the store after activating the interior motion alarm.

Gmitter said the man is believed to be about 6 feet tall and 150 pounds.

If caught, the suspect faces a felony charge of burglary, in addition to bring charged with criminal mischief.

“I know somebody saw this guy run or knows who he is,” Gmitter said, noting that police have already questioned one man and have others that may be questioned.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Gmitter at 724-430-2929, ext. 310.