Man Facing Felony for Swiping $1 McDonald's Soda

Man who took soda instead of water facing five years behind bars

A Naples man is facing five years behind bars after authorities say he walked out of a McDonald's without paying for a $1 cup of soda.

Mark Abaire, 52, was arrested on a felony theft charge last week after he filled a courtesy cup with soda and left the fast food restaurant without paying, according to a Collier County Sheriff's Office arrest report.

According to the report, the manager of the restaurant said he gave Abaire a glass for water, but Abaire filled it with soda. The manager confronted Abaire outside the restaurant about stealing the soda and Abaire started arguing with the manager, the report said.

Officers arrived and the manager said she would like to press charges. When officers spoke with Abaire, "he had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his facial area when he spoke," the report said. He also slurred his speech, had bloodshot and watery eyes and had a difficult time keeping his balance, the report said.

Abaire was arrested on charges of petty theft, trespass and disorderly intoxication, and booked into jail. The theft charge was increased to a felony because of previous petty theft arrests. The felony charge could result in a $5,000 fine and up to five years behind bars.

He was being held on $6,500 bond and it was unknown whether he has an attorney.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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