LONGMONT — A 35-year-old Westminster man trapped between two walls at a Longmont business for as long as three days faces charges of second-degree burglary, criminal trespassing, possession of methamphetamine, criminal tampering and criminal mischief.
Longmont police Sgt. Matt Cage said officers arrested Paul Felyk on Friday afternoon after his release from Longmont United Hospital.
Felyk is believed to have fallen about 20 feet after climbing through a vent on the roof of Marshalls, 205 Ken Pratt Blvd., injuring his knees and back.
Cage said Felyk also was dehydrated and fatigued when first responders used a K-12 saw to free him from a space between interior and exterior walls Tuesday morning. Police believe he had been there since the night of Nov. 8 or 9.
Felyk admitted to attempting to cut the power to the building to keep the alarm from going off, Cage said. Several businesses in the strip mall reported electrical and heating problems on Monday, and police believe that was linked to Felyk’s actions.
Cage said police found methamphetamine, along with property stolen in Westminster, inside Felyk’s car, which was parked behind Marshalls. He faces additional charges for the stolen property.
“He faces a slew of charges,” Cage said.
Employees at Marshalls heard Felyk yelling as early as Monday but did not determine he was inside the wall until Tuesday morning, at which time they called police.
After Tuesday’s rescue, police and firefighters found notes that Felyk had unsuccessfully tried to pass underneath one of the walls that asked for help and ineffectively described his location.
Felyk has prior convictions for robbery, trespassing, assault, driving while ability impaired, theft and criminal mischief.
Cage said Felyk was being held on a $10,000 bond.
