Crime & Safety
'Balloon' Theft Blown: 'Don't Mess with the Farmers' Market'
When suspect absconded with balloon artist's tip jar at the Reston Farmers' Market, Lake Anne patron and workers tackled him.
Bystanders at the Reston Farmers' market helped apprehend a suspect on Saturday after a teen tried to run off with the tip jar of T.J. Michael, the balloon artist who entertains young customers at Lake Anne Plaza.
The market was coming up on its noon closing time Saturday when the suspect swiped the jar from Michael's booth, witnesses said.
Market Master John Lovaas said two witnesses - one of whom works at Reid's Orchard Stand at the market, the other a market customer - were chasing the suspect yelling, "Stop him! Stop him!"
The two witnesses and Lovaas were able to catch the suspect at the Crescent Apartments, across North Shore Drive from the market, and subdued him until police arrived.
Fairfax County Police arrested Cobe J. Enright, 18, of Herndon, and charged him with grand larceny, Fairfax County Police Department spokesman Officer Don Gotthardt said.
The tip jar - exact amount unknown, but plenty valuable to the balloon artist - was returned.
"We are very pleased with the outcome," Lovaas said. "T.J. thought he would never see that money again. The moral of the story - don't mess with the farmers' market."
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