An Austin man is facing a felony charge after police say he stole food, paint and a textbook from University buildings Friday.

According to an arrest affidavit issued Friday for Earnest Gamble, 64, he is being charged with burglary of a building, a state jail felony, for stealing an apple, two bananas, a bagel, two bags of chips, a bottle of white paint and a textbook from Townes Hall, located at 727 East Dean Keaton Street, and a nearby art building. 

The affidavit said police responded to a door intrusion alarm at Townes Hall on Friday around 5:40 a.m. Gamble was found filling a white plastic bag with food from a secured vendor area in the building’s atrium. Gamble was questioned by police and placed under arrest after he tried to walk away during questioning.

According to the affidavit, Gamble admitted to taking the food items from Townes Hall and the paint and textbook from a nearby art building. Gamble pleaded with police to let him go because “stealing food isn’t a big deal.” Gamble tried to give police a fake name during his arrest, but eventually admitted to his real name after police could not find the fake name in their system.