Newspaper box thief fined $7,600

The man admitted breaking into 60 newspaper boxes to steal quarters to support his drug habit, deputies said.

By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published May 31, 2002

LARGO -- A man who told deputies he could break into a newspaper box in five seconds has been ordered to pay two local newspapers more than $7,000 in restitution in connection with a series of newspaper box break-ins last year.

Pinellas sheriff's deputies arrested Jason E. Clifford, 23, in December after noticing him acting suspiciously near a newspaper box in Seminole. Deputies discovered Clifford was carrying several tools, more than $70 in quarters and a change counter, reports say.

Clifford eventually admitted to breaking into 60 newspaper boxes in Clearwater, Seminole, Largo and the beach cities, deputies said. He told deputies he was doing it to support a drug habit.

On Tuesday, Clifford pleaded no contest to multiple charges of theft and tampering with a vending machine. A judge found him guilty and sentenced him to six months of probation, which will include 27 days of work release.

Clifford also was ordered to pay almost $7,000 in restitution to the St. Petersburg Times and more than $600 to the Tampa Tribune.

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