A man who was injured trying to burgle a house on Friday (October 26), was hospitalised for his injuries and later caught trying to escape through the ceiling of the hospital toilet.
About 3.20am it is alleged the 28-year man from Lutwyche, QLD, broke into a Ewingsdale home by climbing through a window.
Police allege he stole several personal belongings of the owners but fled after waking one of the three occupants.
At about 5.09am it is alleged the male returned to the house to take some of the stolen property he had left outside.
The occupants wrestled with the man and called police. The male suffered a head wound during the scuffle with the residents.
He was searched by police who allegedly located methylamphetamine and cannabis on him.
The male was arrested and taken under police guard by ambulance to Tweed Hospital for treatment.
While at the hospital the man went to the bathroom and attempted to escape by smashing his way into the ceiling and crawling away.
Police were able to follow his movements and arrested him in the ceiling.
The man was charged with break enter and steal, aggravated break, enter and steal, possess prohibited drug, assault, resist police, malicious damage and escape police custody.
The man was refused bail to appear before Tweed Heads Local Court Sunday (October 28).
