A would-be burglar was the architect of his own demise this morning when he became wedged in a vent as he broke into a fish and chip shop.
A member of the public heard a man shouting for help from inside a fish and chip shop on Langdons Rd, Papanui, about 2.30am, Fire Service shift manager Brent Dunn said.
"He had climbed through a vent, trying to get in."
Police called the Fire Service, and they arrived about 10 minutes later.
"He was stuck in the air-conditioning vent. We freed the guy, and he was handed over to our colleagues in blue," Mr Dunn said.
