Police: Burglar 'ransacked' store in attempt to escape through ceiling

April 24 (UPI) -- The New Orleans Police Department shared video footage of a burglar who broke into a store through the ceiling and "ransacked" the place trying to leave the same way.

The department said security cameras were rolling April 17 when the man broke into a clothing store in the 2800 block of S. Claiborne Avenue, through the ceiling of the business.

The surveillance footage shows the man walking around the store for a few moments before he triggered a burglar alarm.

The alarm led the man to scramble to get back out through the hole he made in the ceiling, but he had trouble reaching the opening.

"He ransacked the store in an attempt to escape," police said.

The video shows the man climb up some shelves to reach the ceiling, and fall back to the floor seconds later.

The man eventually fled the store "after locating an exit door."