Early Thursday morning two men were arrested on a city rooftop after officers responded to a breaking and entering call.

The Mount Airy Police Department responded to the 11:33 p.m. call that a breaking and entering was in progress at the vacant Pine State Knitwear building. Nearly an hour and a half later, at 12:54 a.m., officers found two men on the roof of the building.

Officers located and arrested John Michael Sizemore, 25, of Mount Airy and Charles Harrison Proffitt, 49, of 878 Fancy Gap Road, Mount Airy and charged the pair with breaking and entering. Extensive damage to the building and larceny from the building is still being assessed.

A perimeter of the building was established by Mount Airy officers with assistance from the Surry County Sheriff’s Office. A short time after arriving on the scene, officers observed movement by a person on top of the building. Due to the large size of the Pine State building, the Mount Airy Rescue Squad responded and assisted by providing equipment to light up the exterior of the building.

The Mount Airy Fire Department responded to aid law enforcement officers to gain access to the roof of the building through use of their aerial bucket truck. Personnel with the Surry County Emergency Services also responded in case medical attention was necessary.

Both Sizemore and Proffitt were taken before a magistrate for the breaking and entering charge and each received a $500,000 secured bond.

Proffitt was arrested on Monday as a state-wanted person after being encountered by police at the WilcoHess convenience store on Rockford Street. Proffitt, who was sought by correctional officers for an alleged probation violation, was confined in the Surry County Jail under a $5,000 secured bond.