Stolen taco costs Erving Walker $301

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Former Florida basketball player Erving Walker ended up with one expensive taco.

Walker

Walker's decision to steal a $3 taco from a Gainesville street vendor cost him $301, the amount he was ordered to pay as punishment after he pleaded no contest Thursday morning to misdemeanor petit theft charges in Alachua County Court.

Judge Walter M. Green withheld adjudication and ordered Walker to pay the fine by Sept. 27. The state dropped an additional misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest without violence as part of the agreement.

"It was just a silly mistake," Walker said after his court appearance. "I apologize to everybody. I'm embarrassed about it. That's not me. I'm just trying to put it behind me and move on."

Walker was charged with petit theft and resisting an officer without violence at 1 a.m. ET March 30 after Gainesville Police Department officers apprehended him following a foot chase that also involved several police cars.

According to an arrest report, Walker ordered and received a taco from a vendor on Main Street but fled without paying.

Police chased Walker onto University Avenue, at which time an officer shouted, "Police! Stop!"

The report stated that Walker looked back at the officer but continued to run.

The 22-year-old Walker was eventually caught several blocks later. According to the report, Walker admitted to stealing the taco, but said he was "just playing around."

Walker finished his career at Florida this season when the Gators lost to Louisville in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament. He is the school's all-time leader in assists with 547 and is fourth in scoring with 1,777 points.

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Michael DiRocco | email

Reporter, GatorNation

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• Reporter for GatorNation
• Covers Florida Gators sports and recruiting
• Joined ESPN in 2011