Passenger has taxi wait while he shoplifts, then stiffs cabbie
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NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Sun-Times Media Wire) -
Naperville police say Christopher J. Lee appeared to have been drinking shortly before his arrest. Which, if true, might explain a lot.
The 36-year-old Lee allegedly hired a taxicab to take him to a local business. He kept the meter running while he went inside and - unbeknownst to his cabbie - swiped a bottle of rum.
He then climbed back into the cab and had the driver go to an intersection several blocks north of his home. Police say Lee at that point got out of the taxi with the stolen liquor and began walking away, stiffing the cabbie for his fare.
Lee lives on the 1800 block of Shetland Road, in the University Heights neighborhood on Naperville's southeast side. He faces trial in DuPage County Circuit Court on misdemeanor charges of theft of labor or services and retail theft.
The bizarre series of events began unfolding the afternoon of Aug. 19, when Lee hired the taxi in the city's downtown. He took it to the Market Meadows/Fox Run Square shopping district near 75th Street and Naper Boulevard.
Sgt. Gregg Bell said a police officer initially went about 2:35 p.m. to the intersection of 75th Street and Ranchview Drive "for the report of a subject who refused to pay his cab fare. Lee was observed walking away not far from where the cab driver was located," Bell said in an e-mail.
After being arrested for not paying the $17 fare, police learned Lee a short time earlier had stolen a $30 bottle of Captain Morgan rum from a store in the shopping district. Bell declined to identify that business.
Lee "had the cab driver stop" at the store while he went inside, Bell said. He emerged with the rum, got back into the taxi and resumed his ride.
Bell added a written police report "indicated (Lee) had been drinking" prior to his arrest.
Lee is free on bond. His arraignment date is pending.
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