Homeless man faces 6 years in prison for stealing bread just days after Christmas
Jan 08, 2025
MUNCIE, Ind. — Just three days after Christmas, a homeless man walked into a McAlister's Deli and helped himself to a bite of bread and a cookie.
It was the middle of the night, but a delivery driver left the door open.
Officers arrived and handcuffed the man. A manager was asked if he wanted to press charges.
He did.
On Jan. 7, the Delaware County Prosecutor's Office filed a Level 5 felony count of burglary against the bread thief. This means Rakime Johnson now faces up to six years in prison for stealing bread and a cookie.
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Court documents show that police were called to the McAlister's Deli shortly before 1 a.m. on Dec. 28. The store was closed but a delivery driver was dropping off supplies. The driver left the door open and Johnson walked inside.
The delivery driver called police and when officers arrived they found the door locked. They made contact with Johnson by speaking through the door. Johnson complied with the officers' orders. He opened the door, exited the business and was placed in handcuffs.
Police found a partially eaten piece of jalapeno bread in Johnson's pocket. They also found a cookie.
In Indiana, burglary is defined as "a person who breaks and enters the building or structure of another person, with intent to commit a felony or theft." But court documents state the door was left open by the delivery driver.
While the maximum sentence for a Level 5 felony is six years, the sentencing range for a guilty verdict is anywhere from one to six years.
Johnson also faces an additional charge of theft as a misdemeanor.