LMPD clears Kentucky Home Life Building ‘in complete disarray’ after reported break-ins

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Louisville Metro Police were staged in Downtown Louisville at South 5th Street and West Jefferson near Metro Hall to clear the Kentucky Home Life Building following multiple break-ins.

This is the same building where Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations and LMPD opened a criminal investigation after a gas leak on Wednesday, April 23.

Codes and Regulations spokesperson Emily Martin told WAVE, “that someone attempting to steal metal cut into an active gas line, causing a significant leak and forcing people to evacuate from surrounding buildings.”

On Thursday, LMPD responded to the call of an active break-in at the property with individuals stealing copper. Two people were arrested on multiple charges related to the incident. Deborah Fallot, 37, of Louisville, faces several charges, including burglary. Edward Phelps, 56, of Louisville, faces similar charges.

Surveillance video released by Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations to WAVE shows Phelps throwing pieces of metal from the Kentucky Home Life Building to an adjacent parking garage, loading it into a vehicle. A police report notes that Phelps allegedly was selling the brass from elevator doors from inside the building. LMPD body camera video capturing the sweep showed the missing holes in the walls where the elevators should be.

”While inside we found a lot of bags of copper that has been cut, lot of different metals, tools, saws, you name it. The building is in complete disarray," LMPD Lt. Bryan Edelen said. “It is nasty. There is no other way to put it.“

On Friday, Lt. Edelen confirmed that Phelps and Fallot are believed to be connected to both Wednesday and Thursday’s break-ins.

A third suspect is known to LMPD but has not yet been arrested.

LMPD officials cleared all 21-floors of the building dressed in protective gear, including gas masks. The sweep took more than an hour, but they did not find anyone else in the building.

This was not the first time they have had to clear the building due to people breaking in. A sweep was done in July 2024, at which time, LMPD removed a number of unhoused individuals who were living inside.

However, Metro Codes and Regulations Director Richard Price said that the issue inside vacant buildings goes beyond homelessness.

“I just don’t want this thing made about the homeless. Yes, we have a homelessness situation,“ Price said. ”These guys are professionals that are trying to take away resources. They caused a major, a major gas leak that put the citizens of Louisville, along with these businesses, at risk. That is unacceptable."

Codes and Regulations has had issues at multiple properties across the city left unsecured by property owners.

Just a few months ago, a massive fire destroyed the historic The Saint Paul’s German Evangelical Church on West Broadway. It had been shuttered up, but people were still getting inside. At the time, Codes and Regulations told WAVE that out-of-state property owners had nothing to keep the building secure.

“If this building was to catch fire, it could present, like he stated, a potential for another Whiskey Row situation that could extend well beyond where we are standing today,” Lt. Edelen said, referencing a 2015 fire on Whiskey Row that threatened a number of businesses.

A similar situation has plagued the Kentucky Home Life Building. KHLB Properties, LLC did not take action to secure the building, despite being cited by Codes and Regulations. On Thursday, Martin confirmed to WAVE that the ownership was in the process of changing, with The Thrash Group out of Mississippi taking over. Martin said the group is currently working with a bank on finalizing the building’s foreclosure.

In the meantime, Codes and Regulations said they will be taking new measures to better secure the building. Price admitted there was an oversight in fully turning off the gas to the building, which was the reason the line was still active during Thursday’s break-in and subsequent leak.

You can watch bodycam footage below:

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