Meter Mechanic Steals $210,000 from Parking Meters

James Bagarozzo, a parking meter mechanic in Buffalo, New York devised a way to break, rather than repair parking meters so he could steal hundreds of thousands of quarters from them.

Since Bagarozzo didn't have access to the meter's vaults, he modified certain meters so the coins would stay in the top of the machine, where he could open up the meter and grab handfuls of quarters. Bagarozzo spent over eight years collecting 10,500 pounds of quarters a handful at a time before being caught and sentenced to prison.

Bagarozzo said a gambling addiction and illness were his reasons for stealing the money.

Buffalo police believe Bagarozzo isn't the only person involved in the scheme and have charged another man in connection with the theft. Police also suspect other city employees may be involved as well.

The city reports revenue from parking meters has increased dramatically since Bagarozzo's arrest.

[Huffington Post]