Kinston Man Breaks Into The Vernon Park Mall and Gets Trapped In The Ceiling
A man attempting to pull off what authorities say was a break-in at an abandoned mall in Kinston, North Carolina, found himself in a hilariously unfortunate situation—trapped in the ceiling ductwork 25 feet above ground. This is a moment that will forever live in internet infamy.
The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Michael Sturkey of Black Creek, NC, is now facing misdemeanor breaking and entering charges following a chaotic chain of events that unfolded at the former Vernon Park Mall on Friday afternoon. This isn’t the first time this town has had a chaotic event.
A Failed Heist at an Abandoned Mall
It all began when Kinston police responded to a call reporting that several individuals were allegedly attempting to steal building materials from the long-abandoned Vernon Park Mall. Once a bustling shopping destination, the mall has stood empty for years, attracting everything from urban explorers to, in this case, would-be thieves.
Several YouTubers have explored this mall, as a result of it being abandoned. At least one video of the mall has gone viral. Now, the place that’s been vacant for over a decade has gotten mainstream attention. All of this is due to a man who decided to break in, but wound up getting stuck.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers conducted a thorough sweep of the property. Along with members of the Kinston Fire Department, they searched for signs of illegal entry or suspicious activity. Despite reports, no suspects were found initially, and law enforcement cleared the scene.
But the situation was far from over.
Trapped 25 Feet Up
Shortly after leaving, Kinston Police received another call. This time, it wasn’t just about a possible break-in—it was about a man stuck in the building’s ceiling.
Returning to the property, officers discovered Sturkey lodged in the mall’s ductwork, approximately 25 feet in the air. How he managed to get into such a tight and elevated space is still unclear, but police believe he entered the duct system during the attempted theft and was unable to get back out.
Authorities spent roughly 25 minutes negotiating with Sturkey, who eventually agreed to climb down a fire department ladder voluntarily. Once safely on the ground, he was promptly arrested without further incident.
Apparently, the situation he was in was incident enough. As a result, when the cops came for him, he complied.
Medical Evaluation and Ongoing Investigation
Following his arrest, Sturkey was transported to UNC Lenoir for unrelated medical treatment. Police did not specify the nature of the treatment, but confirmed that his health was stable. However, there are so many more questions surrounding this situation.
As of now, Sturkey is the only person taken into custody, but Kinston Police say the investigation is still active. They’re looking into whether other individuals were involved in the attempted theft. This man’s actions, while meant to be stealthy, brought tons of attention to whatever plan was in motion.
Meanwhile, the authorities are continuing their investigation.
The Ghost of Vernon Park Mall
Vernon Park Mall, once a lively hub for shoppers and community events in Kinston, has become a shell of its former self. Like many malls across the country, the rise of online shopping and changes in consumer behavior led to its decline.
But the mall’s state of abandonment has given it a second life of sorts. In recent years, it has become a magnet for curious explorers, YouTubers, and unfortunately, trespassers looking to salvage anything of value—or just cause trouble.
Local officials have warned of the dangers of entering the property. Between deteriorating infrastructure, exposed wiring, and now clearly challenging duct systems, Vernon Park Mall is far from a safe place to be.
A Cautionary Tale—or a Comedy of Errors?
While the legal consequences for Sturkey are real, many are choosing to view this incident as a lesson in what not to do. The humor embedded in the situation doesn’t erase the seriousness of breaking and entering, but it has definitely added a touch of levity to the local news cycle.
Several locals have taken to Facebook with jokes about the man that got stuck in the mall’s ceiling. As a result, the post sharing the news turned into a roast session. In addition, the people who shared the post came with jokes of their own.
All of this has led to the story going viral all over Facebook.
Police Response and Public Safety Reminder
Kinston Police have since issued a public reminder not to enter abandoned properties for any reason. Doing so isn’t just illegal; it’s dangerous.
In a briefing with local reporters, a department spokesperson confirmed, “Officers responded to the former Vernon Park Mall after reports of a man stuck in the ceiling. We found Mr. Sturkey lodged in ductwork roughly 25 feet in the air. With the help of the fire department, we were able to safely get him down.”
The department urged the public to avoid trespassing into dangerous or condemned buildings and to report any suspicious activity.
What We Know So Far:
- Suspect: Michael Sturkey, 45, of Black Creek, NC
- Location: Vernon Park Mall, Kinston, NC (abandoned)
- Incident: Attempted theft and break-in
- Caught: Trapped in ceiling ductwork, 25 feet up
- Rescue: Voluntarily came down after 25-minute negotiation
- Charges: Misdemeanor breaking and entering
- Medical: Transported to UNC Lenoir for unrelated treatment
- Status: Only suspect in custody; investigation ongoing
Final Thoughts
It’s not every day a break-in ends with someone wedged in a ceiling like a cartoon villain, but this incident underscores two important truths: crime rarely pays, and abandoned malls are not as empty as they seem.
As the internet continues to laugh and speculate, one thing is certain: this bizarre blunder will be talked about in Kinston for a long time. Whether it becomes a cautionary tale or just another entry in the annals of “dumb criminal” lore, Michael Sturkey’s ceiling misadventure has officially gone viral.
Stay tuned as more details emerge in what may just be 2025’s most bizarre arrest story yet.
