A man who was released from jail in March after serving 15 years for robbery only to rob the exact same store explains why he committed the crime: He didn't have enough money to get to a meeting with his parole officer.
Christopher Miller, 40, was released from South Woods State prison in Bridgeton, N.J. on March 21. He told the New York Post that he was given two bus tickets and no money to get to a meeting with his P.O. He called his parole officer who proved to be useless, so he decided to do what he knew: Steal.
After walking for about 20 miles, he came across the Toms River, N.J. Stride Rite, forgetting that he had robbed it in 1999. He ended up taking $389 from the cash register inside, but a manager recognized him from the initial robbery.
He told the Post that he didn't realize it was the same store until police questioned him. "'You know what, it did seem a little déjà vu-ish,'" he told detectives. Though he plans to accept a plea bargain deal and spend at least another six years in prison, he figures to be in and out of jail for the rest of his life. The system has failed Christopher Miller.
[via Gothamist and New York Post]
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