In a bizarre twist that seems ripped from the pages of a Hollywood script, an escaped convict known as Jeffrey Manchester, or the “Roofman,” has been living undetected above a Toys “R” Us in North Carolina for months.
Employees at the store began noticing strange occurrences: missing snacks, unsettling noises after hours, and an inexplicable hole in the ceiling. What they initially suspected to be the work of rodents turned out to be a man, who had transformed the toy store into his secret hideout.
Manchester, a former soldier turned criminal mastermind, had previously orchestrated a string of armed robberies at fast-food restaurants across the country. His method? A polite and calculated approach that saw him sneak in through ventilation systems, often waiting for employees to arrive before calmly demanding money at gunpoint.
After serving four years of a 45-year sentence for his crimes, Manchester executed a daring escape in 2004. He fashioned a makeshift platform to hide under a delivery truck, slipping away from the Brown Creek Correctional Institution unnoticed.
Once free, he sought refuge in the bustling world of toys, living in the ceiling of the store, scavenging baby food and candy, and even rigging baby monitors to tap into the store’s surveillance feeds. By day, he watched shoppers below, while at night, he roamed the aisles, indulging in a life of play and secrecy.
As the holiday season approached, Manchester expanded his operations, relocating to an abandoned Circuit City next door. Under the alias “John Zorn,” he integrated himself into suburban life, attending church and dating a woman completely unaware of his past.
However, the Roofman’s luck ran out on December 26, 2004, when he attempted to rob the very Toys “R” Us he had called home. Employees, now aware of his presence, contacted the police, leading to a dramatic end to his escapade.
Investigators uncovered the elaborate hideout he had constructed, complete with makeshift bedding and food supplies. Among the evidence was a DVD of “Catch Me If You Can,” a fittingly ironic touch for a man who had lived a life of deception.
The fallout was swift. Manchester was apprehended at his girlfriend’s home after a sting operation, and his story captured national attention. In court, he faced multiple charges, resulting in an additional 40 years added to his sentence.
Today, Manchester remains behind bars, with a projected release date of 2036. His tale has morphed into a modern myth, inspiring a Hollywood film titled “Roofman,” with Channing Tatum set to portray him.
As the story of the Roofman continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder that no matter how high one may try to rise above their past, the weight of reality eventually brings everyone back down to earth.
