The robber had gone through ceiling tiles in the bathroom and fallen into a dining room packed with stunned guests, as he attempted to reach the restaurant office to carry out a heist
Florida: A man’s plan to rob went awry after he accidentally fell through the ceiling of a Florida restaurant onto stunned diners. He was held down by customers and handed over to the police.
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Justin Grimes attempted to flee, but was held down by customers. Pic/Volusia County Jail
The burglary suspect, Justin Grimes, removed ceiling tiles from the restaurant bathroom, and made his way into the air duct. While doing so, he fell into the dining room. He was attempting to make his way to the area over the office to carry out a robbery.
The diners had told the manager of the Hibachi Grill and Supreme Buffet that they heard noises coming from the ceiling on Tuesday evening at 6 pm. Later, when the manager went to his office to check the restaurant’s CCTV, he found the ceiling tiles broken, wires dangling, and a pair of shoes on the floor.
The police said that Grimes, who used some string to lock the restaurant bathroom, attempted to steal money by climbing through the ceiling to enter the restaurant office.
They added that the 30-year-old had been looking for money when he entered the restaurant. Grimes has been sent to a nearby medical center to be treated for multiple injuries. He is charged with burglary of an occupied structure.