Jose Arreola of Bellflower says he still “can’t shake” the confrontation that occurred inside a convenience store at a Buena Park service station.
Jose Arreola (Hispanic) purchased a pack of mints for his wife at a Chevron station one evening. While the cashier was getting his change, he put the mints in his pocket. An off-duty police sergeant (white) standing in line behind him saw it, immediately concluded that Arreola was obviously a dangerous criminal, and pulled a gun on him. For a $1.19 pack of mints.
Arreola put his hands up, while repeatedly protesting, “I paid for that.” The officer ignored his protestations, and ordered him to “leave” without the mints. Then he told the cashier: “He tried stealing that from you.” When he finally asked, the cashier “confirmed three times that Arreola actually paid for the mints” (while the officer continued to ask “Are you sure?”).
The incident was caught on video. Arreola has “filed a formal complaint against the officer alleging misconduct” because he “believes he was racially profiled.”
Ya think?