MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX (KTRK/CNN) - After admitting to stealing from his boss, Mark Anthony Doyle accepted unusual punishment to avoid being fired or possibly being jailed.
The 17-year-old stood beside a freeway feeder while wearing a pink T shirt, cartoon character shorts and a woman's hat.
His boss, Brent Franklin, devised the punishment idea and created the sign Doyle carried: "I stole over 30K from my boss & lied about it. I'm happy to be here."
Of his punishment, Anthony said that "It’s embarrassing, but i'm gonna learn from this."
He admits to taking $30,000 worth of jewelry and electronics from Franklin's home, items that were later returned.
Rather than pressing theft charges, Franklin gave Doyle the punishment option he accepted.
"I'm learning my lesson and not going to jail and learning a worse way," he said.
Franklin said people advised him to fire Doyle, but that would not have done any good.
Doyle's pay will be cut and his duties will be restricted.
Doyle's mother, Cristel, said her son is basically a good kid and this is his chance to prove it.
"This is his get out of jail free card," she said. "He could be dead next time.”
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