A Chatham man is in custody, after a dangerous climb high above the city on Monday evening.
Police officials say last night at 7 p.m. police received information that a man, under the influence of an illegal substance, had just entered the fenced compound of Bell Canada on Centre Street and Harvey Street in Chatham.
Emergency personnel responded to the area and observed the man climbing the Bell tower.
He climbed right to the top, which is approximately 300 feet up in the air and appeared to be trying to cause damage to the tower.
With the assistance of a police negotiator, the man climbed down and was taken into custody just before 10 p.m.
The 52-year-old Chatham man has been charged with break and enter and mischief under $5,000.
Bell Canada will be inspecting the tower today to determine the amount of dollar damage the man caused last night.
Here are some photos we snapped of the incident:
Police officials say while police were dealing with the Bell Tower incident, a woman continuously crossed the yellow police tape, approached officers and yelled at the man up on the tower after specifically being asked not to interfere with police negotiations.
As the man climbed down and officers were in the process of apprehending him, the woman entered the perimeter again and walked right into the fenced compound.
The 32-year-old Chatham woman was arrested and charged with obstruct police.
She was transported to police headquarters and eventually released pending a future court date of June 14, 2016.
– Photo credit: Tami Schram
