A guest at a Brevard County hotel took the phrase “dressing for the job you want” a bit too literally last week. Farron Fullerton, 53, was taken into custody after a bizarre standoff that began with a simple trespassing call and ended with the discovery of a stolen wardrobe choice.
The incident kicked off when deputies were dispatched to a local hotel to deal with a guest who had overstayed his welcome.
According to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Fullerton was refusing to vacate his room long after his reservation had expired. When authorities arrived to escort him off the property, they were met with a sight they didn’t expect: Fullerton was already decked out in a traditional striped inmate uniform.
The situation grew tense as deputies moved in to make the arrest. Fullerton reportedly resisted efforts to be handcuffed, though he was eventually subdued without further incident.
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The immediate question for the officers was whether they had a fugitive on their hands, but a quick background check cleared up the mystery. Fullerton was not an escapee; rather, he had allegedly helped himself to the ensemble via a “five-finger discount” while leaving the Mitchell County Jail following a previous stint.
Sheriff Wayne Ivey commented on the irony of the suspect’s attire. “I’ve heard of dress for success, but never dress for arrest!” Ivey remarked, noting the absurdity of someone stealing a jail uniform to wear in public.
Fullerton has since been booked into jail on charges of trespassing and resisting an officer without violence. While his current accommodations include lodging and a fresh outfit provided by the county, the Sheriff noted that the staff is curious to see how the experience compares to his previous stay in Mitchell County.
“We’re not sure how it compares yet,” Ivey said, “so we will have to wait for his review upon checkout.”
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