Man Stuck in Chimney While Attempting to Burglarize Home

RIDGECREST – A 28-year-old Ridgecrest man was arrested after attempting to illegally gain entry into a home through the chimney on Sunday. The Ridgecrest Police responded to the home in the 500 block of West Maime Avenue after a residential burglary alarm was triggered authorities said.

While responding to the home, a woman called to report that her friend was stuck in a chimney and was in need of help. Police officers determined that the call for assistance and the residential burglary alarm were at the same home. Officers arrived at the home and located Keith Schultz, who was stuck inside the chimney. When investigating they located signs of forced entry into the home and an opened back door.

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Authorities believe that his accomplice (or accomplices) forced entry into the home in an attempt to free Schultz, but triggered the alarm. Once the alarm sounded, the accomplice (or accomplices) fled the scene, leaving Schultz behind. The accomplice or (or accomplices) remain at large and Schultz was freed from the chimney by Kern County Firefighters.

Schultz was taken into custody by the Ridgecrest Police Department for first-degree burglary. He was transported to the hospital for medical clearance and once received, he will be transported to the Central Receiving Facility in Bakersfield CA for booking.