SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) -- Police say a New York man who refused to pay a $12 taxi fare was carrying more than $5,000 when the cabbie drove him around looking for cheap cigarettes.

The Post-Standard of Syracuse reports ( http://bit.ly/IZjvk6 ) that a 68-year-old man had the driver take him to two stores on Monday. Each time he came out empty-handed, saying the price of cigarettes was too high.

When the man had the cabbie take him to a third store, the driver asked for the $12.40 fare. The passenger refused to pay and told the cabbie to call police over the issue.

According to the newspaper, the arrest report says the man became uncooperative. Police handcuffed him and searched his pockets, finding more than $5,000 in cash.

The man is now charged with theft of services.

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Information from: The Post-Standard, http://www.syracuse.com