The Rooftop Man

The true story of Jeffrey Manchester, an eccentric and charming serial burglar and former U.S. Army Reserve officer, notorious for breaking into over 60 McDonald's restaurants via rooftops at night or in the early hours, waiting for the morning shift employees to arrive, locking them in the walk-in freezer, and then cleaning out the cash registers. Throughout his heists, he remained gentle-mannered and rarely resorted to violence. In 2000, Manchester was convicted and imprisoned, but later escaped, hiding for months in a Toys "R" Us and a Circuit City store in North Carolina, surviving on baby food and exercising by riding bicycles in the toy store. He was reportedly recaptured after leaving fingerprints on a DVD of "Catch Me If You Can" at the electronics store. The film will focus on Manchester's months-long flight and the love story that ultimately brought his escape to an end.