Ind. man caught on bike with stolen Christmas tree

[December 07, 2009]  PORTAGE, Ind. (AP) -- Authorities said they caught an Indiana man riding a bike while balancing a stolen Christmas tree across the handlebars.

Police in Portage said they spotted 48-year-old Phillip Menefee about 1 a.m. Friday riding the bike equipped with a homemade motor but no lights. Police had been investigating motor noise near a Christmas tree lot.

Police said Menefee had been drinking at a bar and told police he bought the tree from the lot, which is run by Mathisen Tree Farms of Greenville, Mich. When told the lot was closed, police said he said he claimed that bought the tree from the bar.

Police arrested Menefee for theft and public intoxication. The $40 tree, which was marked with a tag, was returned.

There was no telephone listing for Menefee in Portage area.

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Information from: Post-Tribune,
http://www.post-trib.com/

[Associated Press]

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