An Evansville man was arrested over the weekend after police say he tried to shoplift a Ruler Foods store and escape through the building’s ceiling.

Evansville Police say Patrick Brown, 51, tried to conceal about six steaks into his jacket pocket at the Ruler Foods on Green River Rd. on Saturday. When he tried to leave the store, a manager stopped him and escorted him to an office room until police arrived.

After being taken to the office room, police say Brown became derange and belligerent. He then somehow climbed up into the ceiling of the office room and attempted to escape the building.

While in the ceiling, Brown punched his way through drywall and climbed down into another office room of the store. The manager managed to get inside the room and confront Brown again. Brown then climbed back into the drywall hole and climbed through the ceiling before he punched his way out of drywall into the main grocery area of the store.

Brown came out of the drywall hole and was eventually taken into custody by an off-duty police officer who was shopping inside the store and a responding officer. Several customers watched in disbelief and were shouting for officers to use a Taser on Brown. Police also say Brown lied about his name to officers.

Brown caused approximately $10,000 worth of damage to the store. Damage included drywall, ceiling tiles, electrical wires, air conditioning unit, light fixtures, and other property.

Brown was taken to St. Vincent Evansville for medical clearance and then transported to the Vanderburgh County Detention Center. He was charged with criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, false informing/reporting, resisting law enforcement, and theft. Brown has been released from jail after posting a $400 bond.

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