The Virginian-Pilot
©
CHESAPEAKE
Bruce Askins was out of work and hadn't eaten in three days.
Then it occurred to him: Hey, they feed you in jail, don't they?
The 26-year-old decided to intentionally get himself arrested, entering an Internet sweepstakes cafe and "demanding" $1 from a worker.
He got his meal - two bologna sandwiches and a sugar cookie - but also ended up spending more than two months in jail, and on Thursday in Chesapeake Circuit Court was sentenced to three years of suspended prison time.
His attorney, Robin Winn, acknowledged that Askins made a bad decision; he had no weapon, but robbery is considered a serious offense. Winn asked the judge for leniency, describing Askins as a hardworking young man caught up in a bad economy.
Askins had left his tow truck driving job over a spat with management. Unable to find another job right away, he ran out of money. He said he hadn't eaten for three days when he pulled off his Internet sweepstakes caper on June 27.
"I told (the clerk): 'This is going to sound silly, but this is a robbery. Give me $1. Call the police,' " Askins said outside the courtroom just before Thursday's sentencing hearing. Askins pleaded guilty in September and was out on $1,000 bond.
The clerk never did give him $1 but did grant his other request: She called the police.
In jail, Askins waited, and around noon, jailers brought him a sack lunch.
"They were so good," Askins said of the sandwiches and cookie.
Since the incident, he has returned to his home state of New Jersey and has another job driving tow trucks.
And by the time he was released after more than two months behind bars, Askins confessed, he was sick of jail food. His first stop when he got out? A Waffle House.
Jeff Hampton, (252) 338-0159, jeff.hampton@pilotonline.com
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Common sense
If this story is true, then we have to start with the clerk. She could have asked what the problem was, if he really was as harmless as the story stated. I have seen people give their lunches to people who needed them a little bit more than they did. Many of the people at my work need every bit of their food and they still share.
Suppose she did not want to share, she could have called somenone, not necessarily police. And I am also suspicious of this story. If he was so desperate, why didn't he call the police himself and say he had nothing to eat for 3 days, where could he get food? He is very lucky to have been able to get a job after being found guilty of a felony.
Do you really care about other people?
What would Jesus do?
What would Jesus do? He
What would Jesus do? He would tell the guy to repent. Remember the commandmment about "Thou shall not steal"?
You unbelievers and your references to Jesus when it suits you is tiring.
Out on Bond
If this guy is sooo hard up, where did he get $1000.00 to post bond??
Ahhh
Bail Bondsman?
The real lesson here
Don't leave a paying job when you have no cash reserves because you had a " spat " with management.
It's because people troll
It's because people troll the comment forums and just try to invoke negativity all around. I've been hungry. Never so poor I couldn't pawn something or buy some Ramen or something to keep the belly warm but not everyone is as mentally strong as someone else. I don't know that I would do what he did, hungry or not, I know that on Fridays you can go to the Food Bank in Norfolk and wait in line for a food basket and receive help. There are ways to be fed without robbing or losing your mind and breaking the law. You just have to keep focused and keep surviving. Not that easy for everyone as we aren't all wired the same.
It's sad that people have to
It's sad that people have to do this stuff when they are hungry- it is apparent that a lot of you on here have never been in that postion. before you pass judgement -it coud be you one day that is hungry. it doesn't matter why he left his job- it matters that no one in this counry should go hungry. Where is the Christmas spirit??
Assumption....
"it is apparent that a lot of you on here have never been in that postion. before you pass judgement -it coud be you one day that is hungry. it doesn't matter why he left his job"
And yet we have another poster on here ASSUMING those of us posting here have never experienced having no food in the house to feed our families.WHY? I'd call that assumption "passing judgment".
I guess
Holding a sign saying "I will wrestle you for food" wasn't working out for him.