Murder suspect perched atop crane
Negotiators just feet away 18 stories up
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- A Florida man wanted in his ex-girlfriend's beating death passed the 24-hour mark late Thursday afternoon, perched 18 stories atop a crane at an Atlanta construction site.
At one point in the afternoon, he moved closer to negotiators trying to persuade him to descend. The man, identified by police as Carl Edward Roland, 41, climbed the crane at about 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Authorities had planned to set up a net or airbag below the crane to catch Roland if he fell or jumped, but decided he was too high up for that to be effective.
Roland is wanted in Pinellas County, Florida, in the death of 36-year-old Jennifer Gonzalez, police said.
Her body was found Tuesday in a retention pond. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said Roland was seen with Gonzalez shortly before her death. After he did not return to his Clearwater, Florida, home, a warrant was issued Wednesday for his arrest.
"It's very dangerous to walk up on that platform without a harness," Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington said. "It's extremely dangerous where he is."
A woman who identified herself at the scene as Roland's younger sister told CNN she's angry that police won't let her speak to her brother.
Police spokesman Sgt. John Quigley explained that negotiating teams have rules preventing friends or family members from speaking to someone who may be suicidal. The fear is that something said could affect the person's mood and provoke an adverse reaction.
The police seek to maintain control over the person at all times, Quigley added, and collect information from family members that may be helpful in negotiations.
Suspect told worker he 'hurt someone'
Roland approached a construction worker at the site Wednesday afternoon, said Pennington.
Roland told the worker he had committed a crime and "hurt someone," demanded the worker get out of the way and climbed the crane, Pennington said.
He is believed armed with "some type of knife," the chief said.
Authorities closed Peachtree Road -- the area's main artery -- near the site, snarling rush-hour traffic Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning.
At about 10 a.m. Thursday, Roland approached authorities stationed on a platform at the end of the crane and accepted a jacket before moving back a few feet and sitting. Shortly afterward, he moved again -- farther out on the crane.
"I think probably now, he appears to be very tired," Pennington said. "He appears to be hungry, and I'm sure at some point he's going to need some water as well. ... That sun is working on him."
Authorities have offered Roland food and water, but he has declined, he said.
The suspect was dozing off periodically, Pennington said, and officials have been using their sirens to keep him awake.
Pennington said the negotiators -- who are rotating every few hours as they try to persuade Roland to surrender -- are "outstanding."
Roland's 1999 silver Toyota sport utility vehicle was found at a nearby bookstore, Pennington said.
Roland's criminal history in Florida includes arrests for three misdemeanors, including driving under the influence, domestic violence-related battery and disorderly conduct, or fighting.
CNN's Sara Dorsey contributed to this report.
