HomeCrimeMan arrested for stealing tip jar, one day after being released from jail

Man arrested for stealing tip jar, one day after being released from jail

December 7, 2022

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Allen Conrad Spaulding, 22, was arrested yesterday and charged with petit theft, introducing contraband into the jail, and resisting arrest after allegedly stealing a tip jar from the 16th Avenue Diner.

At about 10:30 a.m. yesterday, Spaulding allegedly took the tip jar, which contained about $25, and left the restaurant. Gainesville Police Department Officers who responded to the call saw Spaulding walking in the area and tried to make contact with him, but Spaulding reportedly ran away. A perimeter was established, and Spaulding was seen a short time later, walking out of the side yard of a home. He reportedly had several dollar bills rolled up in his shoe; officers were unable to locate the tip jar, which they believe was thrown into the woods.

When Spaulding was booked into the jail, he was reminded that if he had any contraband, he would be charged with introducing contraband into a detention facility. The Detention Deputy who searched him reportedly found a folded piece of paper with a loose white rock-like substance in Spaulding’s groin area. The report states that due to safety concerns, that substance has not yet been tested.

Spaulding was previously arrested in April 2022 on charges of burglary, trespassing, and resisting arrest. On Monday, December 5, he entered a plea of nolo contendere to the charges and was sentenced to time served (235 days) and released. In February 2022, he was arrested for attacking an employee of the Wawa on E. University Avenue; he entered a plea of nolo contendere in that case and was fined $635, which he has not paid. He owes fines in nine different cases.

Spaulding, who is listed as homeless, has a juvenile history, one felony conviction, and 22 misdemeanor convictions (2 violent). Susan Miller-Jones ordered him released on his own recognizance with a requirement for day reporting to Court Services.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

  • Clearly this is a mental health issue 🙄.. not the type that Republicans claim when someone shoots up a concert or parade or gay club..

    • Someday, it may come down to chopping off a finger every time a crime like this is committed. People who want to feign mental illness would have to think long and hard about that.

  • This is how we end up with murders on the street , continually receiving a kiss on the hand sentence, fines that never get paid the same as judgements that mean nothing, should be court ordered work it off before release from jail.

  • Must have been home schooled in CRT, mom said he was a prince.
    Why do low level cops and jailers bother doing their jobs, when overpaid elitists with law $chool loan debts will just keep the revolving door going?

  • Here’s a tip, (for free), make better choices with your life.

    Given his history, not entirely confident he’ll pay any attention to that.

  • This POS is a menace to society. He shouldn’t be ROR’d. He should have to post bail to learn his lesson. Let’s expand the jail to hold more A-holes like this.

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