Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 5, 1990 TAG: 9003052069
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium
The 30-year-old Budweiser delivery truck driver is being docked $513 - $25 a week until June - for about 42 cases of beer that fell from his truck last month and were scooped up by scavenging passers-by.
Passing motorists and area construction workers were among those who decided these Buds were for them, despite the frantic protests of Scott's helper.
"You had a mini-Harborfest down there in the middle of Western Branch Boulevard," Scott said. "It was open day for beer."
Scott, who has delivered beer for almost eight years, the past 3 1/2 for Hoffman Beverage Co., did not realize one of his truck's bay doors had rolled open and its contents had fallen out until a motorist banged on his truck at a stoplight.
In his rear-view mirror, Scott saw more than 1,600 red and white cans rolling across the highway, cars stopping helter-skelter in the road with their trunks popped open and people tossing beers in their vehicles.
More than 1,000 cans of beer disappeared in 15 minutes.
Aided by a clerk from a nearby store, his helper and two bystanders, Scott was able to save 28 cases of slightly dented cans.
"I was just thinking about getting my money back," Scott said.
Scott said he could see the temptation in free-rolling brews, but he figures the beer-snatchers did not realize the cost would come out of his pocket. "If it doesn't show up on your truck, it's a loss," Scott said. "Damaged beer we get credit for."
His wife, Karen, said people think they are stealing from a big company that can absorb the loss.
"I guess I was laughing that day," he said. "But then I got my check and I didn't laugh that much."
by CNB