A Green Bay Packers fan was arrested after trying to avoid paying a nearly $500 cab fare following the team's 21-13 victory over the Houston Texans at Lambeau Field. Unable to find his friends or cell phone, a drunk 24-year-old named Nathan Tyler Meleski convinced a cab driver to take him home, promising that to pay the fare when he arrived.
The cabbie drove 111 miles from Lambeau to the Richfield Truck Stop, where Meleski told him to wait in the car as he went inside to use an ATM to pay the $475.60 fare. According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the driver called the cops after the guy tried ducking the bill by slipping out the back. It didn't take long for officers to find Nathan, since he left a trail of footprints in the snow which led right to him. Meleski was arrested and charged with defrauding a taxi cab operator. If convicted, he could face nine months in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The owner of Yellow Cab Green Bay told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the driver should have made the passenger submit the payment in advance before accepting a ride that would take him outside the city. Even though it wasn't the smartest decision, can you blame the cabbie for taking the chance on receiving a huge fare for the 111-mile journey? If Meleski actually returned from the ATM with the cash, the driver would be telling a much happier story right now.
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