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Police discover man in ceiling at drugstore [Richmond Register, Ky.](Richmond Register (KY) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) June 14--RICHMOND -- Richmond police arrested a Berea man Monday after he allegedly stole more than 2,000 pain pills from M&M Drug Store on Big Hill Avenue. Tony Malicote, 25, of Bridgestone Drive, is being held at the Madison County Detention Center awaiting an arraignment, but a bond amount had not yet been set as of Monday afternoon, according to detention center personnel. Police responded to the store at 4:20 a.m. "Upon arrival, officers found the exterior of the building to be secure," said Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock. "The owner of the business was summoned to the scene and allowed officers entry into the building to check for intruders." Officers detected movement toward the rear of the building. When they entered the stockroom of the business, "they observed a male subject in the ceiling area attempting to exit the building. The suspect was removed from the ceiling and taken into custody," Brock said. A trash bag was recovered from Malicote and it was found to contain approximately 2,200 hydrocodone pills that had been taken from the store, he said. Drug store owner John McKinney said it had been several years since his store was burglarized. "We've been here for a while, and over time, there have been several," he said. "This is the first time in a while where someone has actually gotten in and taken anything." With America's prescription drug abuse epidemic, McKinney said anyone working in the pharmacy business should be aware of the possibility of being burglarized or robbed at any time. "Given the nature of the business today, you almost expect it," he said. "You do everything you can to prevent it, but it's getting to be more of a problem." Further investigation revealed that entry had been gained to the store via the roof. The estimated damage to the roof was placed at $1,000, according to the chief. Malicote faces the charge of third-degree burglary. Other arrests: --Police arrested Michael L. Culton, 46, and charged him for burglary in connection with a break-in at Colonel Corner BP, 298 S. Second Street. Officers responded Saturday at 1:34 a.m. to a report of a possible burglary at Colonel Corner BP. "Officers discovered that the front door glass had been broken out," Brock said. "A check of the building failed to produce any intruders; however two witnesses reported seeing a male fitting Culton's description in the area of the business at the time of the burglary." It was learned that Culton had reportedly been staying in a dugout at the Irvine McDowell Park, the chief said. Officers proceeded to the park, where an Eastern Kentucky University police officer assisting in the case had located and detained Culton , who was transported to the police station along with several bags that he had in his possession. A subsequent search of the bags produced 17 cartons of cigarettes that were stolen from Colonel Corner BP during the burglary, Brock said. Six hypodermic needles and 53 Flexeril (muscle relaxer) pills also were recovered. Culton is charged with third-degree burglary, illegal possession of a legend drug and possession of paraphernalia. He remains lodged at the Madison County Detention Center on a $10,000 cash bond. --Richmond police arrested Brittany N. Sparks, 20, of Manna Drive, Saturday in connection with a series of thefts which occurred at Meijer in August 2010. "It was reported that Sparks and another employee stole more than $800 in merchandise from the store," Brock said. A warrant was obtained Sept. 20 for Sparks's arrest, charging her with theft by unlawful taking over $500. She was taken into custody Saturday at her residence and lodged in the Madison County Detention Center where she has since been released on a $1,000 cash bond. Other crimes: --A resident in the 100 block of Prewitt Drive reported Friday that after arriving home at 11:20 a.m. and entering her residence, she heard the front door to her residence shut and went to investigate. "When she looked out the door, she observed a white male wearing khaki shorts, a dark green tee shirt and athletic shoes walking quickly away from the residence toward a black pickup truck," Brock said. The resident reported the male matched the description of a man who had been to her residence the previous day asking if she needed any landscaping work. Entry apparently was gained through a living room window, according to police. Nothing was stolen from the residence. --A patron of Blue Moon, 525 E. Irvine Street, reported Friday that a tool box and socket set were stolen from his vehicle while it was parked at the establishment Thursday evening. There were no signs of forced entry, according to Brock. The stolen items were described as a black tool box with two latches that contained assorted tools and a Stanley socket set. The estimated loss is $100. --A complainant reported Thursday that his iPhone 4 was stolen from a dugout at the Lake Reba Recreation Complex during the evening. The estimated loss is $200. --A resident in the 400 block of Charles Claiborne Court reported Thursday his residence had been unlawfully entered during the morning and a number of items were stolen. Entry was gained by manipulating the lock on the kitchen door, Brock said. The following items were reported stolen: a Dell laptop computer, Inspiron N7110 model; an Asus desktop computer; a Samsung monitor, model Px2370; a set of night vision goggles; and a small gun safe containing an undisclosed amount of cash. The estimated loss is $6,720. --A resident in the 800 block of Melanie Lane reported Wednesday a Garmin GPS unit had been stolen from overnight from his parked vehicle. There were no signs of forced entry. The estimated loss is $150. --A representative of KDA Office Furniture, 519 Hampton Way, reported last Tuesday the catalytic converter and both outside wide angle mirrors had been stolen from the company's delivery van while it was parked in front of the business. The theft occurred sometime between June 2 and the date of the report. The estimated loss is $270. --A patron of Super 7 motel, Northgate Drive, reported Tuesday her vehicle had been broken into overnight while parked at the motel, and a Maestro GPS unit and a Super Boost cellular telephone charger were stolen. Entry was gained by breaking a rear passenger window, according to police. The estimated loss is $110. --A representative of Gates Nissan reported Monday a 2005 Nissan Frontier parked on the lot had been broken into overnight and a JVC car stereo system, model KD-NX5000, with a 3-inch color screen, was stolen from the vehicle. Entry was gained by removing the door lock. The estimated loss is $1,000. Anyone with information related to these crimes is asked to call the Richmond Police Department at 623-1162. Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@ richmondregister.com or 624-6608. ___ To see more of the Richmond Register or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.richmondregister.com. Copyright (c) 2011, Richmond Register, Ky. 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