A chainsaw is an item that would be very difficult to conceal. Nevertheless, a homeless man in Florida reportedly attempted to do just that.
As one can imagine, a chainsaw is an item that would be very difficult to conceal. Nevertheless, a man in Florida reportedly attempted to do just that.
Footage from an October 28th theft shows the suspect, identified as 28-year-old Anthony Ballard, stuffing a large chainsaw under his clothes.
Just prior to the crime, Ballard had walked into Treasure Coast Lawn Equipment in Port St. Lucie and asked staffers if he could get 1 dollar in change.
As the employees worked behind the counter, the suspect walked over to a nearby chainsaw valued at $600. He picked it up and placed it down his shorts, blade first.
Ballard then rearranged his white t-shirt to cover the remaining part of the chainsaw that he wasn’t able to fully hide. He turned his back to the counter, right as one alert staffer got out of his seat to see what was going on.
Employees chased Ballard as he fled from the store. He later ditched the tool in a wooded area.
The chainsaw was recovered, but police couldn’t immediately locate the suspect. Staffers later called 911 to say they had seen Ballard return to the scene, presumably to look for the saw.
Cops arrested and charged him with grand theft and burglary. Ballard reportedly admitted to stealing the tool, but told police he changed his mind and decided he wanted to return it.
