Police: Man who complained of stolen newspapers brandished gun at carriers

ST. PETERSBURG — The paper route is not what it used to be.

A man who often complained that his morning newspaper was being stolen was arrested after police say he brandished a gun at two carriers who were trying to deliver the paper.

Eddie Lee Burney, 60, of 1833 26th Ave. S was arrested Monday on two charges of aggravated assault and is being held in the Pinellas County jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.

As Marquell Lowe pulled into Burney's driveway about 5:25 a.m. to deliver the St. Petersburg Times, Burney jumped from behind a tree with a loaded, chrome .38 special tucked in his waistband, police said.

Burney said "come get this newspaper" and placed his hand on the weapon and "assumed an aggressive stance," according to a police report.

Lowe sped away and contacted supervisor Donna Polite, who had received numerous calls from Burney about stolen papers in the past, she said.

When Polite showed up, Burney pointed the gun at her and walked toward her until she fled in fear, police said.