Don't snicker: Alleged vending machine thief found with 4 bags of chips, 2 candy bars
Dec. 8 2021, Published 10:13 a.m. ET
An Idaho man allegedly broke into a vending machine as police say he entered a local business with the intent to commit a theft or felony crime.
Joseph Ray James, 31, has been charged with one felony count of burglary, the Idaho State Journal reported.
The incident happened around 1:10 a.m. on Dec. 5 when Pocatello police were dispatched to SME Steel for the report of a man who had broken into and stolen items from a vending machine, according to the Idaho State Journal.
When police arrived, they found James, who was sitting with four bags of chips and two candy bars next to him, the Idaho State Journal reported.
When police tried to interview James, he refused, according to the Idaho State Journal.
Cops then spoke to an SME Steel employee who showed police that a piece of metal was used to break the front glass of the vending machine, the Idaho State Journal reported.
The employee said he spoke to James about the incident before the police arrived, and James told him that he used to work at SME Steel about three to four years ago, that he absolutely hated it and he was there “to cause discontent,” according to the Idaho State Journal.
James was charged with felony burglary, arrested and booked into the Bannock County Jail, the Idaho State Journal reported. If convicted of the felony burglary charge, James faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000, the Idaho State Journal reported.
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