Binghamton Firefighters Assist Suspect Down From Roof

City police called the Binghamton Fire Department for help after a man broke into a South Side residence.

The burglary at a two-family house at 15 Telegraph Street was reported shortly before 12:30 p.m. Monday.

A man who lives on the first floor told WNBF News he was watching television when he heard a loud noise coming from upstairs. He heard what sounded like a window to a back door being smashed. He called 911 to report a possible burglary in progress.

When police arrived, the man suspected of breaking into the residence climbed from a window onto the roof of a front porch.

Officers requested assistance from Binghamton firefighters and medics.

The fire department placed a ladder to the roof. Police officers and firefighters spent an extended period of time trying to encourage him to go back into the house through the window or to climb down the ladder to the ground.

A second ladder was put into place next to the original ladder, enabling another firefighter to more easily converse with the man.

The man - whose name was not immediately released - initially was reluctant to come down from the roof. But he eventually came down the ladder and was taken into custody.

City police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the reported break-in. The man who had been on the porch roof is expected to be charged with burglary.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: Emergency responders at 15 Telegraph Street on October 20, 2025.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: Binghamton police officers and firefighters after the man came down from the roof on October 20, 2025.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.