Vegas
03-30-2007, 04:50 PM
http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_087165414.html
A new citizen from Turkey, now proudly managing his first gasoline station, is recovering from fuel price sticker shock outrage following a shocking incident on Wednesday. A customer refused to pay and sped off with the manager dangling from the door.
"It was like a James Bond movie, hanging in the window-fighting with the guy, punching him in the face, he's trying to grab the money," Nick Koseoglu said.
Koseoglu showed CBS 2 his injuries on Wednesday after being treated for abrasions, bruises and asphalt burns. He was dragged a quarter mile by a customer apparently enraged over the price of gasoline.
The motorist was apparently enraged over the price of gasoline, and a glimpse of his white SUV speeding off was caught on a surveillance video just obtained by CBS 2.
"I pulled my feet up and holding the window," Koseoglu said. "He speeding, stop, fighting back and forth -- he trying to grab the money."
Police said the agitated motorist gave Koseoglu a violent shove and sped off for the Southern Parkway.
"I try to get the plate number, but can get only partial -- CPL ... " Koseoglu said.
The angry man's motive?
"When the attendant tells him how much the gas was, the man becomes very agitated, and he tells the attendant -- I'm not paying for this," Nassau County Police Sgt. Anthony Repalone said.
Koseoglu said he can't comprehend why a young guy would come into his West Hempstead station, ask for a fill up -- 2.85 a gallon -- and then freak out at the total price.
"It was $67.00," he said. "Usually when the gas prices going up like this, things like this happen more often, people can't afford."
When asked if felt the thug was retaliating against paying almost $3 a gallon, Koseoglu said, "Yes -- people are struggling."
Koseoglu's regular customers were pleased security cameras were rolling but were concerned about him.
But in the end, Koseoglu had a surprise for the man who wouldn't pay. Police said when the suspect entered the gas station's quick mart cameras recorded his image.
"So we are looking for a male white subject driving a white SUV, late model, and fortunately have great surveillance video," Sgt. Repalone said.
Police told CBS 2 reports of leaving without paying at the pumps are becoming more common across Long Island.
Koseoglu said he wonders why he was targeted. He said he charging $2.85 a gallon for regular, while other nearby stations are up to $2.99.
A new citizen from Turkey, now proudly managing his first gasoline station, is recovering from fuel price sticker shock outrage following a shocking incident on Wednesday. A customer refused to pay and sped off with the manager dangling from the door.
"It was like a James Bond movie, hanging in the window-fighting with the guy, punching him in the face, he's trying to grab the money," Nick Koseoglu said.
Koseoglu showed CBS 2 his injuries on Wednesday after being treated for abrasions, bruises and asphalt burns. He was dragged a quarter mile by a customer apparently enraged over the price of gasoline.
The motorist was apparently enraged over the price of gasoline, and a glimpse of his white SUV speeding off was caught on a surveillance video just obtained by CBS 2.
"I pulled my feet up and holding the window," Koseoglu said. "He speeding, stop, fighting back and forth -- he trying to grab the money."
Police said the agitated motorist gave Koseoglu a violent shove and sped off for the Southern Parkway.
"I try to get the plate number, but can get only partial -- CPL ... " Koseoglu said.
The angry man's motive?
"When the attendant tells him how much the gas was, the man becomes very agitated, and he tells the attendant -- I'm not paying for this," Nassau County Police Sgt. Anthony Repalone said.
Koseoglu said he can't comprehend why a young guy would come into his West Hempstead station, ask for a fill up -- 2.85 a gallon -- and then freak out at the total price.
"It was $67.00," he said. "Usually when the gas prices going up like this, things like this happen more often, people can't afford."
When asked if felt the thug was retaliating against paying almost $3 a gallon, Koseoglu said, "Yes -- people are struggling."
Koseoglu's regular customers were pleased security cameras were rolling but were concerned about him.
But in the end, Koseoglu had a surprise for the man who wouldn't pay. Police said when the suspect entered the gas station's quick mart cameras recorded his image.
"So we are looking for a male white subject driving a white SUV, late model, and fortunately have great surveillance video," Sgt. Repalone said.
Police told CBS 2 reports of leaving without paying at the pumps are becoming more common across Long Island.
Koseoglu said he wonders why he was targeted. He said he charging $2.85 a gallon for regular, while other nearby stations are up to $2.99.