VENTURA : Man Hurt in Fall Off Roof of County Office

A 30-year-old man was injured early Thursday when he fell from the roof of county offices behind Ventura City Hall, police said.

A Ventura police officer found fall victim Brian Mahoney and Paul Belman, 30, outside the county offices about 2 a.m., according to Ventura Police Lt. David Ingles.

After talking to the men and noticing a broken window next to the roof from which Mahoney fell, police arrested Belman on suspicion of attempted burglary. Because of his injuries, Mahoney was not arrested, Ingles said, adding that he believes the men were from outside the area.

Mahoney was listed in stable condition at Ojai Valley Hospital late Thursday. He sustained hip and shoulder injuries, according to fire officials.

Employees at the Ventura County Public Social Services Agency said they were baffled by the incident and could find nothing missing from their offices.

“We got a call around 2:30 this morning that someone had fallen trying to break in here,” said Jim Isom, director of public social services. “We think they may have been trying to get into City Hall.”

Isom said the only evidence that something was amiss was the broken window along the corridor that connects the county office to City Hall.

“I don’t know what they were doing on the roof,” Isom said. “But I’m sure at 2 a.m., their goals were not honorable.”