Burglar Trapped Overnight In Il Fornetto Air Duct In Failed Break-In

A would-be burglar had to be rescued by police and firefighters and then hospitalized after his failed heist at il Fornetto Restaurant left him trapped in an air duct overnight.

Lorenzo Williams, 30, of Coney Island, was cuffed and packed into an FDNY ambulance after authorities removed him from the air duct, booking him with burglary. Cops were called to the 2902 Emmons Avenue restaurant around 12:30 p.m. Saturday, after workers said they heard cries for help coming from the ceiling.

It began with banging, said owner Angelo Viscoso. The restaurant’s manager sent staffers up to the roof, where they found a large hole cut into the vent, and they at first though a possum had found its way in.

“After a few minutes the banging intensified and they started to hear a faint cry for help. At this point they called 911 immediately. When the police came they verified that someone was stuck in the vent and had to call the fire department to cut open the duct on the roof to extract the man out,” said Viscoso.

Apparently, the perp was stuck overnight. The restaurant’s porter said he had heard faint banging noises the night before but couldn’t pinpoint the source. Damages to the roof are expected to exceed $3,000.

Williams was taken to Lutheran Medical Center for minor injuries.

“There were no visual injuries but I guess he had a head rush being stuck upside down until they got him out,” said Viscoso.

The rescue took about an hour, according to the FDNY.

Il Fornetto was playing host to a bridal shower during the cacophonous rescue operation. Viscoso said the party-goers made the most of it.

“The women from the shower were taking pictures with the firemen and police. I heard they cuffed the bride to be,” he said.