Palm Harbor man tried to trade drugs for cheeseburgers, deputies say

Martine Powers

Times Staff Writer

Jul 23, 2010 07:20 PM

Pinellas County Jail Alexander M. Lemke stole a car to go to McDonald's drive-through, where he tried to trade marijuana and pills for cheeseburgers. Nice plan, Alex.

PALM HARBOR — Alexander M. Lemke went for a drive to get some cheeseburgers from McDonald's early Friday, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office says.

Trouble was, deputies said, the 20-year-old Palm Harbor resident broke into a neighbor's home and stole their 2005 Toyota Solara at about 1:25 a.m. Then, he headed to the McDonald's drive-through window at 33830 US 19 N, where he tried to trade marijuana and prescription drugs for the burgers, deputies said.

Authorities were called quickly and Lemke was arrested at 1:40 a.m. at McDonald's.

Deputies found a collection of drugs in the center console of the car, the arrest report said.

Lemke was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, driving with a license that is suspended or revoked and eight drug-related charges. On Friday evening, he was being held in the Pinellas County Jail in lieu of $18,550 bail.