Eagle Systems home alarm systems logo

January 29, 2007

Irate motorist backs into gas pumps, flees

A disgruntled customer was ticketed Sunday after he allegedly backed into a gas pump, setting it aflame and causing $20,000 in damage to a Downtown convenience store.

The incident occurred about 6:30 a.m. at Loaf ’N’ Jug, 120 S. Santa Fe Ave. Cpl. Carl Groller of the Pueblo Police Department said the pump and a red Ford F150 truck both caught fire.

The driver, Daniel Romero, 45, was treated at Parkview Medical Center for minor injuries, and told police he did not remember anything about the crash.

Romero had pumped gas into his truck and grew angry with a clerk after he would not accept a check because Romero failed to provide identification, Groller said. Romero shouted at the clerk and told him he had written checks at the store before without having to provide his driver's license, but the clerk wanted to see his ID.

The clerk went to the back of the store after watching Romero search his truck for a while. A short time later, the clerk heard tires screech and a crash. Romero reportedly had backed into the pump, causing a fire.

Groller said the clerk activated an emergency shut off valve and tried to fight the blaze with a fire extinguisher, but the flames were too hot. Firefighters arrived and quickly contained the blaze while Romero fled south on Santa Fe Avenue.

Pueblo County Sheriff's deputies stopped the red truck, which had a scorched rear end, in the 2400 block of Crimson Drive. Romero told officers he did not remember crashing into the pump.

Romero was ticketed for careless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to notify police of an accident, failure to provide proof of insurance and driving without valid driver's license.

By NICK BONHAM
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

Back to Pueblo Crime Index