Police in Greater Manchester brought an unusual two-day standoff to a close by taking advantage of an unexpected opportunity: the suspect fell asleep on the rooftop where he had been holed up, allowing an officer to climb a ladder, apprehend him, and bring him down safely.
According to police reports, the suspect had climbed onto the roof of a house he had broken into in order to avoid arrest. He refused to come down and threw roof tiles at officers attempting to approach. Police managed the incident over the course of two days, working to bring it to a safe conclusion.
Video footage released by the police shows an officer quietly ascending a ladder to the roof of a rear patio in Salford, approaching 37-year-old Simon Harris while he slept, and taking hold of him. The suspect was then guided to the ladder and brought down to the yard below, where additional officers placed him under arrest.
During the incident, which took place on August 15, two officers sustained minor injuries, police said. Harris has been charged with six offenses, including burglary of a residence and theft of clothing and alcohol, assault on two emergency responders, causing a public nuisance by remaining on the roof, and two counts of criminal damage to property.
Detective Chief Inspector Helen Bagnall said the incident required "extensive use of vital police resources" and added that it "clearly illustrates the dangers our officers face on a daily basis."
A court ordered Harris to remain in custody until his next hearing, scheduled for September.
