Suspect angered by pre-pay gas pump

PINSON, Ala., Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Police in Alabama said a man who allegedly drove his truck into a gas station because he was angry about a pre-pay-only pump was charged with attempted murder.

Jefferson County Chief Deputy Randy Christian said county resident Roger Mayes, 49, angrily stormed into the BP service station convenience store in Pinson at about 6:45 a.m. Sunday and complained that the pump he was trying to use was not turned on, The Birmingham (Ala.) News reported Wednesday.

Christian said the service station had a pre-pay only system and Mayes's pump had not been turned on because he hadn't paid yet.

"You are going to die and go to hell," the chief deputy quoted Mayes as telling the store clerk.

Investigators said Mayes left the store, got back into his 2001 Ford Explorer and drove the sport-utility vehicle through the plate glass window of the shop, crashing through the coffee counter and cashier's counter.

"If the clerk had not jumped out the way, he would have run over the clerk," Christian said.

Mayes was subdued with a stun gun after he attempted to charge an arresting deputy. He was charged with attempted murder and resisting arrest. He was taken to jail in lieu of $63,000 bond.