Police say a Carson City husband, determined to keep a surprise party a secret, was busted Wednesday after allegedly stealing beer so his wife wouldn't see the charge on their bank statement.
Jay William Dunkelberg, 53, of Carson City, was arrested at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday in the 2000 block of North Carson Street on suspicion of felony burglary and possession of methamphetamine.
According to the arrest report, Dunkelberg went into Safeway, put four cases of beer into a shopping cart then walked out without paying.
As store security officers approached Dunkelberg, he allegedly shoved the cart at them and ran across Carson Street, said Under Sheriff Steve Albertsen. He was caught in the field next to Eagle Gas.
The under sheriff arrived and handcuffed Dunkelberg, and allegedly found a bag of methamphetamine in Dunkelberg's pocket.
Albertsen said the husband explained he needed the beer for a surprise party he was throwing for his wife this weekend.
"He said he only had a little bit of money on him and didn't want to use his debit card because 'It's for my wife's surprise party and I didn't want her to know,'" Albertsen said.
Dunkelberg's bail was set at $2,500.