Violence Breaks Out at SoCal Gas Pump (Doctor grabs a tire iron, got cut off in gas line at Costco)

KTLA.com ^ | 6/10/08 | KTLA News

[NormsRevenge]

CYPRESS -- Things are getting ugly at Southern California gas pumps, and we're not just talking about the record prices. Some drivers are turning to violence.

A doctor from La Palma was arrested Monday night after police say he grabbed a tire iron and threatened a driver who cut him off at a Costco gasoline station in Orange County.

According to witnesses, Dr. Antonio Reyes, 58, was among a crowd of motorists waiting in line at the pumps at the Costco on Katella Ave. around 5:40 p.m. when another vehicle cut in front of him. Apparently angry about being cut off, Reyes grabbed a tire iron out of his vehicle and confronted the driver, Sgt. Tom Bruce of the Cypress Police Department said.

Reyes says he only grabbed the tire iron after the other driver grabbed his shirt and shouted at him. He says he never intended to use it.

The other driver locked himself in his car and called police. No one was hurt.

Reyes was arrested and booked for investigation of brandishing a deadly weapon in a rude, angry or threatening manner, a misdemeanor. He was later released. No charges were filed against the other driver.

As gas prices continue to skyrocket, Costco-- known for providing discounts for members-- has seen an increase in crowds at its gasoline stations.

At times, 10 to 20 vehicles line up for a chance to cash in on the cheaper gas.

[NormsRevenge]

$4.33 for unleaded two days ago.

[RexBeach]

Ah yes, reminds me of the old days of “national malaise”.

[mnehring]

How does pushing your way into the front of the line (or getting angry about someone else doing it) make it any cheaper for you?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

$3.799 here in Missouri.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

A doctor from La Palma was arrested Monday night after police say he grabbed a tire iron and threatened a driver who cut him off at a Costco gasoline station in Orange County.

People got upset at line-cutters when gas was $1.50/gal. Standing in line for any reason is an annoying activity. Add to that annoyance by cutting in line and sooner or later some hothead is going to snap.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

Paid $3.899 this morning in northern NJ.

[Resolute Conservative]

“deadly weapon in a rude”

Only in Kalifornia. Being rude is not a crime last time I checked. Try cutting here in Texas and you’ll get your a_s handed to you.

[fightinbluhen51]

As they should! What makes it right for someone to not wait their turn “an unwritten code of conduct” in the states.

[Brilliant]

Pelosi’s fault.

[mnehring]

$3.76 at lunch today for regular.

[MrB]

Probably in the same way that “windfall profit taxes” would.

[I see my hands]

There is societal salvation in the "take a number" system.

[cripplecreek]

Down to $4.05 around here.

[reagan_fanatic]

I scoot across the river now and juice up in Iowa. Last time I got gas there, it was $3.79.

Here in the stupid state of Illinois it is $3.99 a gal, thanks to some of the highest state gas taxes in the nation.

Damned liberal government.

[Ax]

Wife just paid $3.99/9 at COSTCO in Lantana. Elsewhere in our part of Palm Beach County it’s %4.10-$4.15.

[dfwgator]

Ah yes, reminds me of the old days of “national malaise”.

Soon to return if Obama is elected.

[C19fan]

You can tell when gas prices are high by the huge lines at Costco for gas. I think any savings you might have is eaten away idling while waiting.

[Aria]

Californians can thank their buddies, the Democrats, for this.

$4.11 yesterday in Seattle at Arco - one of the cheapest around.

[SF Republican]

$4.62 in San Francisco

[Selmore]

It’s not too expensive. You just can’t afford it.

[oneamericanvoice]

Reyes was arrested and booked for investigation of brandishing a deadly weapon in a rude, angry or threatening manner, a misdemeanor. So if he would have brandished the tire iron in a friendly, peaceful manner, he wouldn't be arrested and booked?

[Loud Mime]

I live in La Palma.....1.7 sq. mi!

We made the news!!!!

[unkus]

$4.03 regular unleaded in Durango, CO

[WOBBLY BOB]

maybe he figured it could go up more while waiting in line.

now the doctor knows what we feel like waiting around to see him. I’m bringing a tire iron to my next appointment.

[Voter#537]

I MISS JIMMAH

[oneamericanvoice]

I’m with the doctor. I don’t like jerk that cut me off from any line.

[mysterio]

People are angry. Most of the gas stations in my town switched to prepay only, which adds another bit of insult to injury.

[GSWarrior]

Get ready for price controls, even/odd day purchases, etc.

[BibChr]

Soon to return if Obama is elected.

Surely you're wrong.

You don't think our new Arab overlords would cut gas prices?

[Thrownatbirth]

The doctor was gonna get medical on his ass.

[LasVegasMac]

$4.33 for unleaded two days ago.

Was down there weekend before last, hotel was on same street....

Lots of places at $4.03 / .05.

Ah, the good ol days.......

[cripplecreek]

Well apparently he was gonna pop a hubcap in somebody’s ass.

[poobear]

“Try cutting here in Texas and you’ll get your a_s handed to you.”

Getting only your @ss handed to you in Texas for cutting in line is considered POLITE! God love you guys!

[savedbygrace]

$3.76 at lunch today for regular.

Did you order it as salad dressing or a cocktail?

;-)

[One_who_hopes_to_know]

Proper Response To Gas Station Line Cutters

• Remove locking gas cap from your own vehicle

• Remove line cutter's gas cap and replace with cap from your car

• Lock gas cap

• Drive away

[MD_Willington_1976]

not far behind you over here at WSU on the East side of WA... $4.07

[<1/1,000,000th%]

$4.299 up here in the left-wing NE part of the People’s Democratic Republic of Illinois.

In Chicago it’s higher.

[Crazieman]

Ingenius

[pabianice]

$4.04 here in the Democratic Socialist Workers Utopian Republic of Massachusetts.

[Crazieman]

$3.74 for regular in Wichita, KS

[Taffini]

Paid $4.09 in Michigan 3 days ago.

[kaboom]

15 cents savings x 17 gal = $2.55

Definitely not worth driving out of your way or waiting in a long Costco line for. Not only will you idle away or drive off the fraction of a gallon that $2.55 gets you, but isn't your time worth more than that?

[geezerwheezer]

IMO, if the Doc really meant to hurt the a$$hat who cut in line in front of him he would have broken out a window or two and beat the jerk severely about the head a couple of times. The jerk must be a real wussie too! Down here in Savannah we wouldn’t try to hurt him with a tire iron, we would just light a cigarette and toss it to him while he was fueling his car. That really seems to get their attention for some reason.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

Insane.....I have a 45 mile commute to work. The 90 mile round trip is killing me!!

[PeteB570]

$3.89 down at the corner shop.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

How high will it go?

[CommerceComet]

$3.74 for regular in Wichita, KS

It's $3.99 here in Manhattan, KS. Apparently, it takes 25 cents a gallon to transport it a couple of hours further north.

[oh8eleven]

Maybe trying a "secret additive" will help.

[HIDEK6]

The other driver locked himself in his car and called police.

I thought the article said the other driver WAS the police.