Fla. woman chooses jail over $7.45 eatery bill

updated 9:44 a.m. ET Oct. 22, 2008

FORT PIERCE, Fla. - A woman has been charged after choosing jail rather than paying her tab for $7.45 at a central Florida restaurant.

According to a police report, Maryanne O'Neill, 66, ordered coffee and a sandwich at a Waffle House restaurant on Saturday but refused to pay the bill. The restaurant called the police.

A police officer asked O'Neill to pay or go to jail and she refused to pay.

O'Neill could not be reached for comment at any listed phone number.

A jail official says she was released Monday from the St. Lucie County Jail. She is charged with obtaining food or lodging with intent to defraud, a second degree misdemeanor. If convicted of a second degree misdemeanor she could face up to 60 days in jail and a fine of $500.

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