The Epitome of Cheap
Myedvedeya
07-01-2009, 06:22
A man in Wisconsin apparently preferred to go to prison for theft than to pay for the $1.57 soda he was drinking. He was carrying over $70 in his pocket.
Man with Over $70 Chooses Jail over $1.57 Soda (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/12/29/ap/strange/main4690563.shtml)
(AP) Eau Claire police said a man accused of stealing a soda worth $1.57 chose to go to jail rather than pay up, even though he was carrying more than $70. Police responding to the report of a theft recently say the 27-year-old man appeared drunk. An employee told officers the man had taken a cup from the counter, filled it and began drinking.
When employees told him he had to pay for the drink or leave, the man refused to do either.
A police officer told the man he could pay $1.57 or go to jail, and the man chose jail. The officer handcuffed and searched him, finding the money in his pocket.
The man was issued an ordinance citation for retail theft.
Wilgrove
07-01-2009, 06:24
Has he been through a psychological evaluation?
Minoriteeburg
07-01-2009, 06:24
That man is an american hero. Someone name a library after him.
Galloism
07-01-2009, 06:25
How big was that soda to cost $1.57?
Chumblywumbly
07-01-2009, 06:25
The Epitome of Cheap
Nuh-uh. The epitome of cheap is yer mum.
*high-fives the thread*
Not too bad...
My grandpa whom I loved dearly (God rest his soul) was so cheap he once stopped at a farmer's market to buy tomatoes.
"How much to those 'Maters cost?" he asked one of the farmers.
"Well sir." said the farmer, "I'm selling them by bulk, the more you buy the cheaper the price."
My Grandfather knew a good deal when he had one and said "Hell, load 'em up in my truck until they're free!"
Wilgrove
07-01-2009, 06:26
Not too bad...
My grandpa whom I loved dearly (God rest his soul) was so cheap he once stopped at a farmer's market to buy tomatoes.
"How much to those 'Maters cost?" he asked one of the farmers.
"Well sir." said the farmer, "I'm selling them by bulk, the more you buy the cheaper the price."
My Grandfather knew a good deal when he had one and said "Hell, load 'em up in my truck until they're free!"
lol! I love your Grandpa.
Minoriteeburg
07-01-2009, 06:26
lol! I love your Grandpa.
Seconded.
lol! I love your Grandpa.
He was a great man. He was kidding, but he did end up buying 20 lbs for canning.
Minoriteeburg
07-01-2009, 06:28
He was a great man. He was kidding, but he did end up buying 20 lbs for canning.
thats a lot of tomatoes.
thats a lot of tomatoes.
I have lots of family.
Rathanan
07-01-2009, 06:41
Sigh, only in Wisconsin... I did my undergrad years there and there's a lot of wacko people there...
I may just be saying that because I'm originally from Chicago, so I'm just a darn "Flat lander" to them.
Sigh, only in Wisconsin... I did my undergrad years there and there's a lot of wacko people there...
Hey, I resemble that remark!
...or something. :tongue:
South Lizasauria
07-01-2009, 09:15
That man is an american hero. Someone name a library after him.
Yar that scurvy dog tis....a scurvy dog...off the plank with ye!
Vault 10
07-01-2009, 10:08
Police responding to the report of a theft recently say the 27-year-old man appeared drunk.
[...]
A police officer told the man he could pay $1.57 or go to jail, and the man chose jail. The officer handcuffed and searched him, finding the money in his pocket.
It's not cheapness or greed, it's being drunk.
Christmahanikwanzikah
07-01-2009, 11:03
Actually, that's not the epitomy of cheap.
Considering how much it costs to book and keep him for however long they sentence him, it will be far, far, far more expensive than the cost of the soda.
The hilarious part is that, even when budgets are being trimmed due to budget considerations, they decided to send this man to jail for something so trivial.
Vault 10
07-01-2009, 13:14
I'm not sure about Wisconsin, but in most states theft under $100 (may vary widely) can qualify as an infraction, which is only punished by a fine, not jail, and is not put on criminal record. $100-$1000 is usually misdemeanor theft (a larger fine or jail), $1000+ prison.
Some states are more insane than others, though (say, California is particularly trigger-happy).
BunnySaurus Bugsii
07-01-2009, 13:30
Well, if he plays his cards right (resist arrest, urinate in charge room, affray with other inmates) he might get a few weeks accommodation. At the end of that, he'll get his $70 back.
$70 would get him at most 2 nights in a hotel. Smart guy! *nod*