The Washington Post published today a great little story about a parking meter repairman who may be the petty criminal of the year. William J. Fell, 61, a Stafford County resident, is accused of stealing $170,000 in coins from busted Alexandria meters.

“He’d take a little bit each time,” Alexandria police spokesman Jody Donaldson told the Post.

The Post notes: “City officials realized something was amiss when their parking meter revenue was falling short, Donaldson said. The city’s Department of Transportation and Environmental Services and the Office of Management and Budget worked with police to investigate the case.