How do you coax an unhinged man down from a 300-foot-tall communications tower? Cigarettes and Dr. Pepper have not worked, and cops in Oklahoma are running out of ideas. Hit the jump to read the rest of the story.
@WiL
Authorities in Tulsa have been trying to entice a 25-year-old wacko to climb down for more than four days – but all he’s done is crow like a rooster and beg for a cappuccino.
The man, known only as William, hopped over a protective fence and scaled the massive Clear Channel Radio tower on Thursday morning, Tulsa’s News on 6 reported.
Police have attempted to lure him down with promises of food, water and cigarettes, to no avail. They have also tried more forceful measures, such as pepper-spray balls.
“We are gravely concerned about his health, and we are very concerned he could go into some type of coma or … medical arrest,” Capt. Ryan Perkins, special operations team commander for the Tulsa Police Department, told the Tulsa World newspaper.
It is not clear why the man climbed the tower. He has a history of mental health issues, police said, but does not appear to be suicidal.
“There’s no such thing as suicide,” he told police, according to News on 6.
“Honestly, if he was wanting to jump, I think it would have happened by now,” senior police negotiator Cole Butler told News On 6.
William’s shoes fell to the ground on Saturday. He’s been wearing nothing but shorts and a T-shirt since. He’s been seen sleeping on and off, and has requested small things, such as Dr. Pepper and a cappuccino.
At one point, he was heard crowing like a rooster during sunrise.
Residents complained that police are wasting money trying to save him.
“I’m just sick of the money and resources we are using on this guy,” one woman said after coming to the tower to see him, News on 6 reported.
Despite the criticisms, police continue their vigil in hopes of getting him to safety.
“His life is in jeopardy,” said officer Jason Willingham. “He is trespassing on Clear Channel’s property and we can’t just walk away.”
