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Fake arrests raise funds for Hospice
By THOMAS MICHALSKI
Article published on Thursday, May 1, 2008 |
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![[Image]](/content_images/050108_par-06.jpg) |
| Photo by THOMAS MICHALSKI |
| “Judge” Dorene Thomas sentences Nancy Hodges of Optek Corp. for abandoning a washer and dryer. |
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PINELLAS PARK – Ten people were arrested April 25, including the city manager and at least one city councilman, on a variety of charges . . .
Whoops! It was all a joke!
The “arrests” and subsequent “trial” of the 10 was to raise funds for the Hospice of Florida Suncoast that provides quality of life care with human dignity for persons who are about to pass on and their families.
Police Chief Dorene Thomas donned a white wig and black robes to play the part of a stern judge during the mock proceedings at Park Station.
“You think this is funny,” she said to one defendant. “Ten years!”
The sometimes hysterical hearings were watched by several hundred onlookers who jammed the first floor of Park Station. Some watched from the second floor balconies.
The 10 “perpetrators” were “arrested” and ordered to stand “trial.” The “fines” went to the Hospice of Florida Suncoast to pay for the facility’s many programs.
Those “arrested” included:
• Councilman Jerry Mullins for imitating a biker while driving a motor scooter.
• Michael Gustafson, city manager, for animal cruelty because he was overheard stating, “there are too many cats in the city and not enough recipes.”
• Betty Oldanie, vice president of planning for Hospice, for being overly dressed on casual Friday.
• Tim Caddell, city government relations administrator, was charged with identity theft for doing a “really bad imitation of Elvis.”
Others “arrested” included Marian Capozza, interim executive director of the Pinellas Park/Gateway Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Bob Arnold, vice president of Hospice professional development; Todd Fornshell, manager of Sam’s Club; Pay Lucas, Hospice patients and family care coordinator; Sabrina Harrington, manager of Let the Good Times Roll Limousines and Party Buses, and Nancy Hodges of Optek Corp.
It was not immediately known how much was collected during the fundraiser.
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Article published on Thursday, May 1, 2008
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