St. Pete man arrested for handing out marijuana to strangers ‘because it was Christmas,' police say
![Richard-Ellis-Spurrier-mug.jpg](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox5atlanta.com/www.fox5atlanta.com/content/uploads/2019/12/764/432/Richard-Ellis-Spurrier-mug.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Booking image for Richard Ellis Spurrier
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A 67-year-old man was arrested Saturday after St. Petersburg police officers learned he was giving out marijuana to people who passed by him.
The arrest occurred around 11:30 p.m. at 16 2nd Street North in downtown St. Petersburg, after police received a report from a witness. Officers said when they confronted Richard Ellis Spurrier, he said he was handing out marijuana “because it was Christmas.”
Police said Spurrier had 45 grams of marijuana on him and a hidden sword in his cane. He was arrested and faces a charge of possession of marijuana.