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Here is the man who climbed a tree in Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood early this morning and then called for help before he finally came down from his perch after several hours. (Photo by Mike Siegel / The Seattle Times)

A burglary and assault suspect who climbed a tree in Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood early this morning after allegedly attacking his ex-girl friend’s roommate finally came down from his perch after several hours.

The man apparently went up in the tree sometime around 5:30 a.m. and came down about 8:30 a.m.

It all began when police got a call from the man’s ex-girlfriend around 5 a.m. that someone had broken windows in her house in the 4600 block of 33rd Avenue West, said police spokesman Mark Jamieson.

Seattle police escort the man who spent some three hours in a tree in the Magnolia neighborhood early this morning. (Photo by Jack Broom / The Seattle Times)

A man, believed to be the man later found in the tree, then broke into the home and attacked the ex-girlfriend’s roommate, a man. He was taken to the hospital.

The man who had broken in then ran off, Jamieson said.

Officers responding to the ex-girlfriend’s call were flagged down by a driver who said he heard someone in the area yelling for help. The officers looked in the area and found the man in the tree, said Jamieson.

Police know who the man is and they aren’t exactly sure why he climbed the tree or why he finally decided to come down.

Jamieson said the man may have gotten tired, cold, hungry or all three.

The incident occurred near the railroad tracks that lead to the railroad bridge that crosses the water west of the Ballard Locks.

All rail traffic through the area, including the Sounder commuter train service, was stopped until after the man came down.