Running afoul of the law can be pretty unpleasant, and a trip to jail is no picnic. But it's even worse if what you've stolen could barely buy you a postage stamp.
A Florida man was recently arrested after police say he took 42 cents from a fountain at a shopping mall. Laslo Mujzer, 43, was charged with petty theft (a misdemeanor). A mall security guard was tipped off by a witness to the theft, and detained him until the cops arrived.
To be fair, a sign outside the fountain noted that the proceeds were donated to Habitat for Humanity -- so Mujzer was taking from a charity. But it's still surprising that the mall security guard went ahead and pressed charges, sending Mujzer to the pokey on a $500 bond. "If we have a complaint and a complainant that is going to sign a sworn statement, then we will make an arrest," said Naples Police Capt. John Adams. "He shouldn't be taking change out of the mall fountain. It's not found money."
Question Raised: How much did the Florida police spend in arresting, charging and booking Mujzer? We'll bet it's more than 42 cents.
