Dothan, Ala. — A Dothan man is facing burglary charges after police say he fell through a ceiling during a break-in early Friday morning.
According to the Dothan Police Department, officers responded around 3 a.m. April 3 to a reported burglary in progress in the 300 block of Daniel Circle.
The homeowner told officers he first heard his dogs barking around 1 a.m. but did not find anything unusual after checking the home. Just before 3 a.m., he heard a loud crash and discovered the suspect, identified as 33-year-old Jacob Mark Wilson Gates of Dothan, lying in the hallway after falling through the ceiling.
Police say the homeowner struck Gates with a dog gate in an attempt to protect himself, causing the suspect to flee the residence.
Officers quickly responded and used a K-9 unit to track Gates to the 2000 block of Stonebridge, where he was taken into custody.
Investigators said Gates appeared to be impaired by drugs. During a search, officers located multiple pills, a white powder substance, and syringes.
Authorities say Gates had entered the home by climbing a porch railing and accessing the attic through a roof vent. He remained in the attic for about two hours before falling through the ceiling.
Gates was arrested and charged with second-degree burglary. Additional charges are pending as authorities analyze the substances found in his possession.
