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St. Petersburg homeowner discovers soda-stealing burglar petting the family dog

Posted at 5:37 AM, Jul 07, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-07 05:37:50-04

This week, a homeowner was startled to find an unknown man petting her family dog in her home.

Michael Anthony Hopkins started his July 5th afternoon entering the Speedway gas station's front doors on 34th Street North. He was seen helping himself to a fountain soda, then exiting the gas station - without paying - through the back emergency exit door. It caused $300 worth of damage to the door's locking mechanism, according to a St. Petersburg Police arrest affidavit. The incident was captured on surveillance video.

About 10 minutes later, Hopkins entered a home on 32nd Avenue North through the front door. He left his jacket and fountain drink on the dining room table. The female homeowner discovered him sitting in her living room chair, with his shoes off, and petting the family dog.

She ordered him to leave and told officers she did not give him permission to enter her home. She also does not know who he is.

Hopkins was booked into Pinellas County Jail on the following charges: burglary of an occupied dwelling and criminal mischief charges.