Cops: Not Enough Gas Leads to Man's Tantrum

Perhaps the customer isn't always right.

say a Lake Hopatcong man was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated after reportedly losing his temper at the on Route 46 West early Wednesday morning.

Just before 2 a.m., Jose Trochez-Alavarado, 31, was allegedly yelling at fellow customers and flailing his arms when Officer Richard Howell arrived at the scene, police said. The reason, according to police, was a "miscommunication" between the suspect and a gas station employee that resulted in Trochez-Alvarado not getting all of the fuel he'd paid for.

The customer's response was anger, police said, noting that Trochez-Alvarado had driven away from the service station before realizing the error. When he returned to the Gulf station, he allegedly threw a bottle of ketchup, damaging store merchandise in the process, according to police.

After a brief investigation into the incident, Howell arrested Trochez-Alvarado for DWI. The man also faces charges of driving without a license and criminal mischief. Police said he was released pending a court date.

For questions about this blotter, email natalie.davis@patch.com.