Steal a Doughnut, Go to Jail
A doughnut is not worth jail time…
FARMINGTON, Mo. - Authorities said Scott A. Masters, 41, slipped (a) doughnut into his sweat shirt without paying, then pushed away a clerk who tried to stop him as he fled the store.
The push is being treated as minor assault, which transforms a misdemeanor shoplifting charge to a strong-armed robbery with a potential prison term of five to 15 years. Because he has a criminal history, prosecutors say they could seek 30 years.
Masters said he didn’t even get to enjoy his ill-gotten gains: He threw the doughnut away as he fled.
A few words of advice:
- Don’t steal doughnuts.
- Don’t steal doughnuts and assault someone while in the act.
- Don’t steal doughnuts and assault someone while in the act, especially if you already have a criminal record.

