This article was originally published on GoErie.com on July 27, 2018 

Erie police charge that a city man caught at a west side gas station with a large amount of change early Friday morning stole the coins in a burglary at an Ellsworth Avenue residence.

Anthony P. Abbott, 43, is accused of stealing $316.29 in rolled and loose change from a residence in the 3200 block of Ellsworth Avenue on Friday at about 1:45 a.m. A resident of the house reported hearing a door close and discovered that the change was stolen from a closet, according to Erie police.

A city police officer on patrol spotted Abbott with a backpack and something heavy in a pocket of his shorts walking east on West 26th Street shortly after 2 a.m. Friday. The officer approached Abbott at a nearby gas station and found him in possession of the change, investigators reported.

Abbott was arraigned Friday morning by Erie 6th Ward District Judge Timothy Beveridge on a felony count of burglary. He was placed in the Erie County Prison on $50,000 bond.