'Stargazer' Says He Fell Down Chimney

"....he took his pants off and began waving them around to set off the home's motion detectors". I've got this mental image in my mind.

'Stargazer' Says He Fell Down Chimney

BRAWLEY, Calif. (AP) - A man faces a burglary charge after police found him stuck in a chimney. Matthew Allen, 27, told police he fell down the chimney after going on to the roof of the house to look at the stars.

When he got stuck near the bottom of the chimney, he took his pants off and began waving them around to set off the home's motion detectors. Brawley police officers were dispatched to the house twice Saturday morning but saw no signs of an intruder.

Neighbors eventually heard a commotion coming from the house and called the police.

"I've read and heard of things like that before," Brawley Fire Capt. Manuel Sevilla said, "but I've never seen it. The situation, it was more funny than anything." Fire workers lowered a chain ladder to Allen, who was able to climb out from the chimney.

When transported to Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley for treatment Allen tried to flee but was detained by hospital staff.

Allen, who had a warrant for his arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol, faces a count of residential burglary.