Paying crime: man arrested after breaking into shop and paying for cigarettes
To Las Cruces, New Mexico, where a man is under arrest. His crime? Paying $6 for the pack of cigarettes he took.
Ellis C. Battista, 24, is charged with one count of breaking and entering, a fourth-degree felony. At around 3:30am, Battista and another man went to purchase a pack of cigarettes at Bradley’s convenience store.
The store normally operates 24 hours a day, but the clerk was not on duty and the store was locked. Store surveillance cameras and witnesses confirmed that Battista pounded on the store’s front door several times in an apparent attempt to gain the attention of the store clerk, who was not there.
Battista then allegedly kicked the door’s lower panel, which broke. Battista, believed to be intoxicated at the time, then entered the store. Video surveillance indicates Battista selected a pack of cigarettes and ensured that cameras captured images of him leaving $6 for the merchandise. A witness called 911 to report the break-in, and police officers located Battista nearby.
Yes, indeed, dear British readers, $6 for a packet of 20 salmons. It’s a steal.
Note: In the UK ciggies cost around £9 for 20. It is daylight robbery.
Posted: 3rd, March 2016 | In: Strange But True Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
