By Staff Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Early this morning, 21-year-old Bennett Stringfellow found himself in handcuffs following an alleged theft involving a tip jar at Gyros and Grill. The incident escalated when Stringfellow reportedly filed a false police report, claiming his phone had been stolen by an employee who had actually chased him down.

At approximately 2:40 a.m. on October 25, Stringfellow approached officers from the Gainesville Police Department near the 1000 block of West University Avenue. He reported being physically assaulted and claimed that his phone had been stolen by an unknown individual. He was unable to pinpoint the exact location of the alleged incident, only offering a vague description of the area.

As officers accompanied Stringfellow to the vicinity he described, an employee from Gyros and Grill, located at 826 W. University Avenue, approached them. The employee reported that he had pursued Stringfellow out of the establishment after Stringfellow allegedly took off with the tip jar.

According to the employee, Stringfellow had entered the restaurant, placed an order, and while waiting, kept eyeing the tip jar. Once he received his food, he lingered near the jar. Taking advantage of a moment when the staff was distracted, Stringfellow allegedly grabbed the jar and bolted from the scene.

The employee said he chased Stringfellow and managed to take his phone, which caused Stringfellow to stop and say, “I need that.” However, he said, Stringfellow started running again and later returned to the restaurant with a police officer, claiming the employee had stolen his phone.

The officer reported that Stringfellow spontaneously stated that he had stolen the tip jar and had then run away with it. Stringfellow reportedly said the same thing after acknowledging his Miranda rights.

The officer reported that the tip jar was not recovered because although Stringfellow told the officer where he had left it, it was not there. No money was found on Stringfellow, and the exact amount of money in the tip jar is unknown.

Stringfellow has been charged with theft and making a false police report. He has no local criminal history, and Judge William Davis released him on his own recognizance.

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.