Ho, ho, no: Burglary suspect rescued after getting stuck in chimney

 By Kate Mather, Los Angeles Times


Maybe he should have taken some tips from Santa Claus.


A 16-year-old burglary suspect was hoisted to safety Monday morning after he got stuck inside a San Fernando Valley chimney, officials said.

Police and firefighters were called to a North Hills home in the 9700 block of Orion Avenue after receiving a report the suspect was in the chimney, said LAPD Sgt. Evy Arocho. The Los Angeles Fire Department said the teen was about 10 feet down, trapped with his "feet first" and "hands above head."

"It wasn't Santa Claus this time," Arocho said.

Firefighters gave the teen oxygen as they used a specialized rope system to pull him from the chimney, fire officials said. Television footage showed about a dozen personnel taking part in the rescue, which officials said took about 30 minutes.

The teen appeared to suffer only scrapes, officials added. An investigation into the circumstances of the incident was ongoing.

LAPD's Mission Division tweeted that the suspect had only made it down to the chimney's flue. "Just as well," a message on the account said. "Large pitbull waiting inside for him."

Later, another tweet from the station:

"Ho, ho, ho!"