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Highlands Today

Man Arrested After Allegedly Stealing Christmas Tree

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By BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: November 26, 2008

AVON PARK - A man was released from jail Monday on a $10,000 bond after being arrested and charged with robbery with a firearm.
Eric Alan Tumilty, 33, of 5121 Granada Blvd., Sebring, was arrested Sunday at the Avon Park Big Lots after allegedly stealing a Christmas tree and being seen with a gun in a holster.
Avon Park Police officers arrived on scene and spoke with the complainant and victim, who told authorities he saw Tumilty leave the store with the boxed tree, which had not been paid for.

The victim reportedly asked Tumilty for a receipt on the tree. The suspect did not present one and, instead, allegedly reached underneath the driver's side seat of his vehicle and removed a black holster holding a gun, according to the arrest report.

As the victim went back inside the store, he noticed the vehicle's license plate and called the police. The plate number was ran and came back to a 2007 Ford Taurus registered to Tumilty.

Authorities were granted permission to continue their investigation outside of their jurisdiction and arrested the suspect at his home. Tumilty reportedly turned over a 4.5mm BB gun that was similar in style to a semi-automatic handgun.

Tumilty reportedly told police he was having "financial difficulties" and "was not going to be able to provide a Christmas tree for his children." He added he was trying to get the Big Lots employee to leave when he picked up the BB gun from underneath the driver's seat of the vehicle, the report stated. The gun stayed in the holster the whole time, according to Tumilty's statement to police, and he was not going to hurt anyone with it.

The suspect said the tree was thrown into the woods on his way home from Big Lots. Police reportedly recovered it from the north side of Ponce De Leon Boulevard just east of the intersection of Minorca Drive. The pre-lit tree, valued at $85, was still in the box.

APPD Officer Earl Tilman made the arrest.

Brad Dickerson can be reached at (863) 386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com

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