Bicyclist tries to balance tree on handlebars
December 5, 2009
BY ERIN GUERRA, POST-TRIBUNE CORRESPONDENT
PORTAGE -- A 48-year-old man was arrested early Friday morning for allegedly stealing a
Christmas tree while riding his bike home from a bar.
Police said they were looking for the source of a motor noise near the tree lot at U.S. 6 and
Willowcreek Road, which was closed just after 1 a.m. Friday, when they found Phillip Menefee
balancing a fir tree across the handlebars of his bicycle. The bicycle, which had a homemade
motor and no lights, weaved as Menefee rode it north on Augusta and west on Gaston, where
police stopped it and questioned the rider.
Menefee, of Portage, reportedly told police he'd just bought the tree from the lot, run by
Mathisen Tree Farms of Greenville, Mich. When informed the lot was closed, he then insisted
he'd bought it from Sunset Lounge. Police confirmed Menefee had been drinking at that bar and
it was not selling any trees.
After he refused to take a breath alcohol test, police arrested Menefee for theft and public
intoxication.
The $40 tree, which still had its tag, was returned to its owner.
