Bowling Green man charged with burglary at vape shop

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – One Bowling Green man is facing burglary charges at a local vape shop.

According to a uniform citation, the Bowling Green Police Department was dispatched to Vape World at 2522 Scottsville Road on Sunday.

The caller whispered to “send help,” authorities say. At the same time, officers say they received an alert about a burglary alarm glass break for the same location.

Upon arrival, police say they located a male subject, who took off running behind the business.

Authorities say the subject then fell into a creek bed and began reaching for his coat and waistband. Police say due to fear of the subject reaching for a weapon, an officer drew a service weapon and advised the male subject to show his hands several times.

The male then fled again, police say, eventually passing behind several restaurants off of Scottsville Road before reaching a wooded area.

Police say they located the male and asked again for him to show his hands. Authorities say the male subject showed one hand before quickly hiding it again. The taser was deployed, and the male was detained.

The male was identified as 21-year-old Carlos Paez of Bowling Green.

Police say while searching Paez, they located a long knife and drug paraphernalia.

Authorities say Paez had stolen at least two vape cartridge boxes and five cartridges. In addition, police say they had received a separate burglary alarm report at Smoke and Vape off of Scottsville Road prior to this incident.

Police say they observed surveillance of a subject matching Paez’s description kicking the doors and windows in at Smoke and Vape, attempting to break in unsuccessfully due to the alarm sounding.

Paez was placed into custody and remains at the Warren County Regional Jail.

He faces charges of first-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief, second-degree fleeing or evading police (on foot), first-degree possession of a controlled substance, first offense (drug unspecified), first-degree burglary (attempt), theft by unlawful taking or disposition from building, drug paraphernalia – buy/possess and resisting arrest. In addition to these charges, authorities say an E-warrant was served on Paez.