'Stargazing' Burglar Falls Down Chimney

A man in California is facing a burglary charge after police found him stuck in a chimney. But he insists he fell down the chimney after going on to the roof of the house for 'stargazing'.

Matthew Allen told police he wanted to look at the stars from the roof but got stuck in the chimney after he slipped. After he got stuck near the bottom of the chimney, he took his pants off and began waving them around to set off the home's motion detectors.

Police officers were dispatched to the house twice but saw no signs of an intruder. Neighbors eventually heard a commotion coming from the house and called the police.

"I've read and heard of things like that before", Brawley Fire Capt. Manuel Sevilla said, "but I've never seen it. The situation, it was more funny than anything". Fire workers lowered a chain ladder to Allen, who was able to climb out from the chimney.

When transported to Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley for treatment Allen tried to flee but was caught on the run by hospital staff.

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