Spaghetti Thief Nabbed in Mo. Firehouse

Oct. 22--A 51-year-old man was arrested under unusual circumstances after he allegedly broke into the Downtown fire station Monday night.

Shortly after fire crews responded to an emergency call around 9:15 p.m., police responded to another emergency call at the St. Joseph Fire Department headquarters, located at 401 S. Seventh St. With two firefighters left at the fire station, an unknown male allegedly climbed into the building after crews left the station.

"The only way inside the building is through a ladder on the other side of the building, and he apparently climbed the ladder," said Officer Aaron King with the St. Joseph Police Department. "He seemingly entered the fire station, went to the refrigerator, took spaghetti out of the refrigerator, either did or didn't see (the remaining firemen) and hid under the desk."

Firefighters located the suspect and called police shortly after the apprehension. Mr. King said the suspect was cooperative as he was taken into custody for investigation of burglary.

"He said he broke into the building basically to get out of the cold because he wasn't allowed to go to the other shelters," Mr. King said.

The suspect was taken into custody. No one was injured during the apprehension or arrest.

Kristin Hoppa can be reached at kristin.hoppa@newspressnow.com. Follow her on Twitter: @SJNPHoppa.

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