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POSTED: 04:41 p.m. EST, Nov 28, 2007
Kevin Polen found out early today there is more than one way to get hammered at a bar.
The 30-year-old homeless man, who Akron police allege had already burglarized the 69 Taps bar twice this month, went to the well one too many times.
When Polen broke into the popular downtown watering hole for a third time, just after 6 a.m. today, he was confronted by the bar's owners, who were able to hold him for police only after whacking him with a hammer.
''We had to hit him with a hammer once in the knee,'' said Tommy Manfreda, 27, one of the bar's owners.
But that's jumping ahead in the tale.
According to Lt. Rick Edwards , Akron police spokesman, Polen had previously burglarized the bar at 370 Paul Williams St., on Nov. 17 and again just two days later on Nov. 19.
Both times, Polen gained entrance to the bar by smashing the glass in a rear door, Edwards said.
''He got our petty cash both times. The first time about $1,200 and the second around $400,'' said Manfreda. He said the burglar headed straight to the office at the rear of the bar and rifled a locked cabinet that contained the petty cash.
''We had never been robbed before so the office door was unlocked the first time,'' said Manfreda. He said after the initial break-in, the office door was fitted with locks and slide bolts. However, the extra security proved ineffective.
''He just used a hammer the second time to smash a hole in the door just big enough for him to squeeze through,'' said Manfreda, standing next to a mangled door.
Manfreda said after being burglarized twice he was fed-up and decided he and his partner -- who he only wanted to identify as John -- had to take matters into their own hands. So they devised a plan.
''We've been camping out at the bar,'' Manfreda said.
For the last eight days, Manfreda has been sleeping in a nylon lounge chair, waiting for the burglar's return.
''I knew he would come back. After he got us for money the first two times and I knew he would try again,'' said Manfreda.
''I barely slept. Every time I heard a noise my heart would start racing,'' he said.
After several restless nights, Manfreda and his partner's patience was rewarded.
''Six-eighteen. That's when we heard the glass breaking at the rear door and John said: 'It's happening','' Manfreda said.
Manfreda said he was amazed at how swiftly Polen made it from the broken rear door to within steps of the office.
''If I had been alone, I don't know what I would have done,'' Manfreda said.
As it was his partner pulled a gun on the intruder and yelled; ''Freeze APD,'' Manfreda said.
This immediately got Polen's attention, Manfreda said. The homeless man dropped to the ground.
Manfreda said Polen had come equipped with a crowbar, a large wrench, a hammer and a razor.
Manfreda said he was surprised when Polen, with a gun pointed at him, grabbed the crowbar and got to his feet.
''I thought he was going to run, but he didn't. He just said ''shoot me'' and start coming at us. It was like he didn't care about life.
''We had to hit him with the hammer just enough to make him drop the crowbar. We could have shot him,'' he said, ''but nobody wants to kill anybody.''
A relieved Manfreda called police. Within two minutes police arrived to take Polen off their hands.
Edwards said Polen was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.
''At this time, Kevin Polen is charged with breaking and entering and possession of criminal tools,'' Edwards said.
Polen who was booked into the Summit County jail is scheduled for an arraignment hearing in Akron Municipal Court on Thursday at 9:00 a.m.
Today, a workman replaced the shattered glass in the rear door, the third time in a little more than a week.
As he watched, Manfreda said he was very tired.
''It was the worst sleep of my life. But it was worth it,'' Manfreda said.
''I only hope I won't have to do this again.''
Kevin Polen found out early today there is more than one way to get hammered at a bar.
The 30-year-old homeless man, who Akron police allege had already burglarized the 69 Taps bar twice this month, went to the well one too many times.
When Polen broke into the popular downtown watering hole for a third time, just after 6 a.m. today, he was confronted by the bar's owners, who were able to hold him for police only after whacking him with a hammer.
''We had to hit him with a hammer once in the knee,'' said Tommy Manfreda, 27, one of the bar's owners.
But that's jumping ahead in the tale.
According to Lt. Rick Edwards , Akron police spokesman, Polen had previously burglarized the bar at 370 Paul Williams St., on Nov. 17 and again just two days later on Nov. 19.
Both times, Polen gained entrance to the bar by smashing the glass in a rear door, Edwards said.
''He got our petty cash both times. The first time about $1,200 and the second around $400,'' said Manfreda. He said the burglar headed straight to the office at the rear of the bar and rifled a locked cabinet that contained the petty cash.
''We had never been robbed before so the office door was unlocked the first time,'' said Manfreda. He said after the initial break-in, the office door was fitted with locks and slide bolts. However, the extra security proved ineffective.
''He just used a hammer the second time to smash a hole in the door just big enough for him to squeeze through,'' said Manfreda, standing next to a mangled door.
Manfreda said after being burglarized twice he was fed-up and decided he and his partner -- who he only wanted to identify as John -- had to take matters into their own hands. So they devised a plan.
''We've been camping out at the bar,'' Manfreda said.
For the last eight days, Manfreda has been sleeping in a nylon lounge chair, waiting for the burglar's return.
''I knew he would come back. After he got us for money the first two times and I knew he would try again,'' said Manfreda.
''I barely slept. Every time I heard a noise my heart would start racing,'' he said.
After several restless nights, Manfreda and his partner's patience was rewarded.
''Six-eighteen. That's when we heard the glass breaking at the rear door and John said: 'It's happening','' Manfreda said.
Manfreda said he was amazed at how swiftly Polen made it from the broken rear door to within steps of the office.
''If I had been alone, I don't know what I would have done,'' Manfreda said.
As it was his partner pulled a gun on the intruder and yelled; ''Freeze APD,'' Manfreda said.
This immediately got Polen's attention, Manfreda said. The homeless man dropped to the ground.
Manfreda said Polen had come equipped with a crowbar, a large wrench, a hammer and a razor.
Manfreda said he was surprised when Polen, with a gun pointed at him, grabbed the crowbar and got to his feet.
''I thought he was going to run, but he didn't. He just said ''shoot me'' and start coming at us. It was like he didn't care about life.
''We had to hit him with the hammer just enough to make him drop the crowbar. We could have shot him,'' he said, ''but nobody wants to kill anybody.''
A relieved Manfreda called police. Within two minutes police arrived to take Polen off their hands.
Edwards said Polen was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.
''At this time, Kevin Polen is charged with breaking and entering and possession of criminal tools,'' Edwards said.
Polen who was booked into the Summit County jail is scheduled for an arraignment hearing in Akron Municipal Court on Thursday at 9:00 a.m.
Today, a workman replaced the shattered glass in the rear door, the third time in a little more than a week.
As he watched, Manfreda said he was very tired.
''It was the worst sleep of my life. But it was worth it,'' Manfreda said.
''I only hope I won't have to do this again.''
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