Friday, March 21, 2008 - Page updated at 02:11 AM
E-mail article
Print view Share:
Digg
Newsvine
Man Gets 30 Days' Jail for Taco Theft
Associated Press Writer
A man who pretended to be a CEO complaining about his fast-food order in a taco scam was sentenced to 30 days in jail after authorities saw the prank in an online video.
Rialto police said it was an easy case to crack because the video, called "How to Scam Del Taco" and posted on YouTube.com, shows Robert Echeverria, 32, calling the restaurant about 50 miles east of Los Angeles on Feb. 19.
In a friendly tone he claims to be a CEO named "Robert Kennedy" who has already spoken to the store's manager and corporate office about some unwanted sour cream and the lack of a receipt in a previous order.
"I love your guys' tacos," he said.
One of his two 18-year-old co-stars is later shown walking into the restaurant and claiming the food. The video ends with the three men feasting and laughing.
Echeverria even provided a pair of personal phone numbers in the video, Rialto police Lt. Joe Cirilo said.
A Rialto resident saw the video online last month and called police, authorities said.
On Tuesday, Echeverria pleaded guilty to misdemeanor burglary and received a sentence of 30 days in jail, three years' probation and one special condition: a ban from the Rialto Del Taco.
"I tried to get him to stay away from all Del Tacos, but the judge said just the one," Deputy District Attorney Doug Schaller said.
Schaller said the two teens can expect a similar plea deal, most likely minus the jail time.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Obama warns of 'difficult' days in Iraq, pledges support for troops
Top Iran clerics decry election, defy supreme leader
Sailor recounts girl's rescue after plane crash
Obituary: Beijing opera singer inspired 'Madame Butterfly'
Bill fails to focus on cutting oil use

shopping

events for Sunday, Jul. 5th
- Nordstrom Men's Half-Yearly Sale
- Posh on Main Semiannual Sale
- REI Summer Sale and Clearance
- Karan Dannenberg Clothier Progressive...
editors' picks
More shopping guides- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Former NFL MVP McNair killed
- Russell Branyan, Mariners fight off the Red Sox
- Palin takes to Web for hints of political future
- Fourth of July festivals and fireworks in Seattle, the suburbs and beyond
- The Blotter | Man pistol-whipped after argument at nightclub
- Desert-lobster dispute turns pair into sagebrush heroes
- Close-up | Prison guards intercept carrier pigeon with a cellphone
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Woman accuses Sounders FC player Nate Jaqua of sexual assault, seeks more than $10 million
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Merchant Marine veterans fight for recognition
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Close-up | Prison guards intercept carrier pigeon with a cellphone
- Pre-grill drill: marinate steaks
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Concert Review | Green Day blasts off 4th weekend with KeyArena show
- Lake Washington's sockeye run may hit a record low
- Amtrak cleared for 2nd daily train to Vancouver, B.C.
- Yakima teacher reprimanded for sending 5-year-old student home with bag of feces in backpack
