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Hernando Today

Barking dogs ruin prank, lead to arrest

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By Kyle Martin

Hernando Today

Published: June 22, 2009

SPRING HILL - Two barking dogs interrupted an ex-employee's prank and cost him a trip to the county jail.

Deputies say Paul Marvella broke into a shed at the Jiffy Lube at 120 Mariner Blvd. on Saturday to pull the "Jiffy prank." Apparently, there's a tradition of past employees removing the bleeder valve on the compressor, rendering it useless.

Marvella, 23, would later tell a deputy that he intended to leave the valve at the store once he removed it. But two dogs belonging to a nearby fireworks vendor heard the racket and charged at him barking.

Fearing an imminent attack, Marvella raced to his friend's car, which was parked next door at a car wash, a report states. The car sped off, but Marvella was still clutching the valve, according to a report.

Marvella left the valve in his friend's car and later that night had a change of heart. He called his friend several times to have him drop it off at the Jiffy Lube, but his friend's cell phone was left on silent.

His friend's brother dropped off the valve at the store the next morning as a deputy investigated the theft.

A deputy said his investigation led him to Marvella as the suspect. Because Marvella reportedly broke into the shed and caused the business to lose customers, he was charged with felony commercial burglary.

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com

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