Mar. 19, 2021 3:25p
(WGTD)---A 53-year-old Salem Lakes man has been charged with battery and disorderly conduct for attacking a grocery store employee who told him to put on a mask.
Benjamin Kunz was given a summons for an Apr. 15th initial appearance.
Acccording to the criminal complaint:
A security guard at Woodman's Grocery Store approached Kunz in the bakery department Feb. 6. When told he had to wear a mask, Kunz responded with profanity. The guard then took Kunz' cart and told him he couldn't check out. Kunz requested to speak to a manager, and arrangements were made to meet a manager at the service counter.
Once at the counter, Kunz allegedly began to swear at the security employee, so the worker pulled out his cell phone and started to record his behavior. The defendant then grabbed the phone, punched the employee and stuck his thumbs into the employee's eyes, causing the worker's contacts to fall out.
An off-duty Woodman's employee saw the altercation and pepper-sprayed Kunz.
Police arrived to investigate, including Kunz' claim that a manager had given him permission not to wear a mask. All of the managers on duty at the time denied this.
The complaint said that video of the incident "clearly showed the defendant being the aggressor."
As he was being escorted into a squad car, Kunz reportedly apologized for his behavior in the store.
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