PacMan Wannabe
A squad of shoplifters was interrupted mid-crime in Hudson, Fla., after a grocery store manager figured out their method. A man had his three stepchildren, aged 6, 10 and 12, wear empty backpacks into the store. He would fill them up and send them out to their van. There, they emptied out their packs and came back for more. The alleged ringleader, Peter Riotis, 43, was arrested, but sheriff’s deputies decided not to take him to jail: Riotis weighs 470 pounds and “would not fit through the door” of the police cruiser, the arresting deputy said. He was cited for theft and three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and released. As for a motive, Riotis said he “wanted to feed my kids.” (St. Petersburg Times, Tampa Tribune) ...Let’s just say it’s unlikely the jury will buy that excuse.
Available in This is True: Book Collection Vol. 12