Gwinnett Daily Post

Ranaldo Jack

NORCROSS -- Someone's going on the naughty list this Christmas.

A teenager emulating the Grinch got stuck in the chimney of a Norcross home for more than 10 hours Tuesday, authorities said. The would-be burglar, identified as 17-year-old Renaldo Jack, was arrested after being extricated from the home on the 5900 block of Lanier Boulevard.

Gwinnett County firefighters pulled Jack from the home at about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday by lowering a rope from the top of the chimney, spokesman Lt. Eric Eberly said. The teen, who was "screaming from inside" when crews arrived, told officials he had been stuck since 3 a.m.

"A neighbor heard somebody yelling for help and she finally figured out it was coming from her neighbor's chimney," Gwinnett County police spokesman Cpl. Jake Smith said.

The resident of the home works overnight and was not home during the incident.

Jack initially lied to police about his age and name, but a responding officer recognized him as someone she had arrested before, Smith said. He will likely be charged with burglary and giving false information.

Smith said he had never heard of a suspect getting caught in a chimney, or even attempting to enter a home through one.

"I worked burglary for almost three years," Smith said, "and I don't recall hearing of one incident like this."