Burglar found hiding in ceiling of Earth Fare in Athens

By Joe Johnson

Benjamin Reed Heaslip, 40, of Commerce, was arrested early in the morning of January 23rd when he was found hiding in the ceiling at Earth Fare on South Milledge Avenue.

Officers who responded to a 2:22 a.m. burglar alarm activation located Heaslip in the ceiling of a back storage room.

It’s unclear how he got into the store, but a report notes that Heaslip was in possession of a crowbar and knife, with more burglary tools in the trunk of his car.

He used the store’s pallet jack to prop open a roll-up

door to the safe room.

The Commerce Police Department was notified that Heaslip indicated that he had left his 9-year-old alone at home.

He was arrested on charges of second-degree burglary, possession of a weapon in the commission of a felony, criminal trespass/damage to property, obstruction of law enforcement, and possession of tools for the commission of a crime.

Heaslip was being held without bail at the county jail as of this morning.

Additionally, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has placed a hold on his release from custody.