Butter Knife Used to Break Into Laundry Machines: Police

A Largo man was arrested and charged with three felonies resulting from an attempt to rob laundry room machines with a butter knife, according to police.

Gary William McQuiston was charged with burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, possession of burglary tools and tampering with a vending machine two or more times, all felonies, after the June 18 incident.

According to authorities, McQuiston, 32, was seen on surveillance video breaking into and removing coins from four separate laundry machines at the Town Arms apartment complex on Washington Avenue.

Witnesses who saw the incident called police; when officers arrived, McQuiston attempted to flee the scene on a bicycle.

Following a chase, Largo Police officers apprehended McQuiston a short time later and placed him in custody, according to the police report.

While questioning McQuiston about the incident, he admitted to using a butter knife to attempt to open the machines and remove money, authorities said. Officers found $17.25 in coins in his pocket, but McQuiston said it was money from his disability check.

Further investigation revealed McQuiston, who did not live at the apartment complex, had a makeshift file and a pair of pliers in his possession also.

McQuiston was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on the three felony charges as well as a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest without violence for attempting to flee.

Jail records show McQuiston has a lengthy arrest record, with charges ranging from carrying a concealed weapon and retail theft to trespassing and numerous burglaries, including a previous attempt at breaking into a coin machine.

He is currently being held in the Pinellas County Jail awaiting trail, according to online records.