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$1 Felony Lands Florida Man Behind Bars: Twitter Reacts

$1 felony may sound like some sort of gross injustice, but let’s consider the situation for a moment. Deputies in Naples, Florida arrested 52 year-old Mark Abaire at an area McDonalds after he f...
$1 Felony Lands Florida Man Behind Bars: Twitter Reacts
Written by Staff
  • $1 felony may sound like some sort of gross injustice, but let’s consider the situation for a moment. Deputies in Naples, Florida arrested 52 year-old Mark Abaire at an area McDonalds after he filled a courtesy cup with soda and promptly left the restaurant. Abaire claimed he wanted water, but when presented with a wide variety of beverages, he opted for the drink that was going to cost him a little cash. When the manager approached Abaire and told him the refreshment would cost him one whole dollar, the defiant man refused to pay.

    Now, I’m sure you’re thinking, “It was only a dollar! Why in the world would the sheriff’s department waste their time and taxpayer dollars to toss a man in jail for such a petty crime?” And, in most causes, your concerns would be completely justified. After all, petty theft is considered a misdemeanor in the state of Florida. However, since Abaire has prior convictions for such a crime under his legal belt, the charge was upgraded to a felony, hence the unusually harsh nature of the situation.

    Unfortunately for Abaire, a third-degree felony in the state could send him to prison for up to five years. If that isn’t enough to cause the poor guy some sleepless nights, he’s also facing charges for trespassing and disorderly intoxication. Abaire currently remains behind bars. Considering he couldn’t find one dollar, four quarters, or 10 dimes to pay for his soda, I doubt he’ll be finding $6,500 for his bond anytime soon.

    Twitter fantastics seems to think that the charges are a little too steep, but if you ask me, this incident was just the final chapter in Abaire’s personal tale of petty crime. You can have a look at the public’s reaction below.

    How you get a felony held on $6,500 for allegedly stealing $1 cup of soda from McDonald’s?? WHAT???(image) 31 minutes ago via TweetDeck ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    A man faces a felony charge and is still imprisoned after not paying for a $1 cup of soda from McDonald’s….wow.(image) 22 minutes ago via Twitter for iPhone ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    Once again, stupid headline. This is why no one trusts the media anymore. He was a stupid criminal. http://t.co/nGUfwugO(image) 2 hours ago via web ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    Good work officer! Fill the jails with more dangerous $1 coke stealers like this guy! http://t.co/WUpp9hEY Really? #JusticeNotJails #DOJ(image) 2 hours ago via web ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    @McDonalds I’ll pay 4 this guys soda if you drop your charges against him 4 his unfathomable crime of stealing a $1 pop http://t.co/Cg6YS5Ez(image) 47 minutes ago via web ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

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