ALABAMA — A man is facing burglary charges after police say he broke into a home and later fell through the ceiling in Dothan.
According to the Dothan Police Department, officers were called to a burglary in progress around 3 a.m. on April 3 in the 300 block of Daniel Circle.
Police said the homeowner reported hearing dogs barking around 1 a.m. and checked the home and yard but did not find anything unusual. About two hours later, the homeowner heard a loud crash and discovered a man in the hallway after he had fallen through the ceiling.
Authorities identified the suspect as 33-year-old Jacob Mark Wilson Gates of Dothan. Police said the homeowner struck Gates with a dog gate before the suspect fled the residence.
Officers later located Gates in the 2000 block of Stonebridge and took him into custody. Investigators said he appeared to be under the influence of drugs, and officers found multiple pills, a white powder and syringes during a search.
According to police, Gates entered the home by climbing a porch railing and accessing the attic through a roof vent. Authorities said he remained in the attic for about two hours before falling through the ceiling.
Gates was arrested and charged with second-degree burglary. Police said additional charges could be filed pending the results of testing on the substances recovered.
The investigation remains ongoing.
