Coolguy

Pot-tip suspect returns, held by police
David C.L. Bauer | The Times Union | 06/30/2005

A Jacksonville man accused of leaving a half-gram of marijuana on the counter of a St. Johns Town Center coffee shop as a tip was arrested Tuesday after police said he returned to the shop and scuffled with police who tried to talk to him after he was recognized from the day earlier.

In the ensuing brouhaha, police said the man's stash of pot and rolling papers spilled out.

Delshawn Prejean, 35, of Delray Avenue was charged with battery, resisting an officer, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was being held Wednesday in the Duval County jail.

A Sheriff's Office report earlier this week said a customer at the Starbucks coffee shop at St. Johns Town Center walked away after getting his order Monday and telling the server "I left your tip on the counter."

When the employee looked down, she told police she saw a small amount of unwrapped marijuana.

But the man was gone.

A man who looked like the customer returned to the same Starbucks on Tuesday evening.

A security officer and police were called and watched as the customer paid for his order and left. When he got to the door, police said the security officer identified himself and the customer kept right on going.

Police officer F.D. Lockley said he intervened and a struggle ensued out the coffee shop door and into the parking lot, where others helped subdue the man.

During the struggle -- which left the security officer, police officer and suspect with minor cuts and abrasions -- a box the man was holding in his hand came open and about 17 grams of marijuana and rolling papers fell out, police said.

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