NEW YORK – An upstate New York couple solved the mystery of who was possibly responsible for dumping used coffee mugs in their front yard for nearly three years, and he was an acquaintance, according to authorities.
Edward and Cheryl Patton told The Buffalo News who placed a camera on a tree in front of their house in Lake View to catch the person responsible. However, it wasn’t until some neighbors helped out, followed a minivan, and jotted down the license plate number that he helped solve the mystery.
After Edward Patton called police, they stopped a vehicle driven by 76-year-old Larry Pope, who, according to Cheryl Patton, had once worked with her and had disagreements with her over union issues.
Pope was charged with harassment and fined for dumping garbage on a highway.
“I found it very hard to believe that someone I knew would do something like that, especially at her age,” Cheryl Patton told The News.
The Pattons said trash has been stopped since Pope was arrested.
A message was left on a phone number for Pope on Sunday.
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