Man, 52, Arrested For "Spring Break Mistake"

MARCH 20--After using a butter knife to cause extensive paint damage to a 2023 Nissan, a Missouri man vacationing in Florida copped to the criminal mischief, describing his felonious conduct as a “spring break mistake,” police report.

The defendant, however, is a 52-year-old real estate executive, not a collegian sharing a St. Petersburg hotel room with eight friends.

According to cops, the vehicle’s owners, a married couple, spotted a man standing near their car Thursday evening and “making motions” near the driver’s side. When the duo confronted the man, he “laughed and ran off down the street.”

Upon examining the car, the couple discovered “the entire side of their vehicle had been scratched up and had extensive paint damage,” a criminal complaint states. “Lying next to the car on the floor was a silver butter knife that was used to damage the vehicle.”

The car, which was parked outside the Toasted Monkey restaurant, sustained damages in excess of $1000, cops noted.

A review of security camera footage yielded a clear image of the suspect. And cops determined that the vandal had put his phone number down on the Toasted Monkey’s wait list.

After calling the number, police met up with Clifford Craig Edwards, who reportedly “admitted to the crime post-Miranda” and termed the offense a “spring break mistake.”

Seen above, Edwards was arrested on a felony criminal mischief charge. He was released from the county jail Friday morning after his wife posted a $2000 bond.

Edwards, a Springfield, Missouri resident, is a licensed real estate salesperson whose LinkedIn page lists him as development director of Bryan Properties, a Springfield firm that builds and manages residential developments. (1 page)