Off-Duty Cop Pulls Gun On Mentos-Buyer In Buena Park (Watch)

BUENA PARK, CA — An internal investigation is underway after an off-duty police officer pulled a gun on a gas station customer who was buying a pack of Mentos mints, according to a new report. Surveillance video obtained by the Orange County Register shows Jose Arreola buying the stick of Mentos for $1.19 at a Chevron station in Buena Park on March 19. He hands the cashier a $20 bill and puts the Mentos in his pocket as he waits for his change.

An off-duty police officer who had just walked into the station and got in line sees Arreola pocket the mints and wrongly suspects him of stealing them.

"As soon as I put it in my pocket, then I hear someone behind me with a loud voice say 'I'm a police officer. Take that out of your pocket!" Arreola told the newspaper.

The video shows the officer, with his gun drawn, ordering Arreola to "put it back," despite Arreola protesting that he had just paid for the mints. Confounded, Arreola complies and raises his hands in the air.

"He tried stealing this from you," the officer tells the cashier. "Take your cash and leave."

The cashier hands Arreola his money and the officer again orders him to leave. Only then does the officer ask the cashier if the customer had, in fact, paid for the goods.

Officer: "Did he pay for this?"

Cashier: "Yes."

Officer: "He paid for it?"

Cashier: "Yeah."

Officer: "Are you sure?"

Cashier: "Mhmm."

The officer then turns to Arreola and apologizes. Arreola, who told the newspaper he's been shot at in the past, called the incident traumatizing and said he still feels shaken. He told the newspaper he has a lawyer and seeks financial damages.

Buena Park Sgt. Mike Lovchik declined to comment on the incident to the newspaper but said an internal investigation was underway. The department's chief of police said in a statement on Facebook that the video "clearly shows" the officer drew his gun, but did not point it at Arreola. Even so, the chief called the incident "disturbing."

"I want you to know that after I watched the video I found it to be disturbing, as I’m sure it was to you," the statement said.

Immediately after the department learned about the incident they began conducting an administrative investigation into the officer's conduct, the statement said. Arreola has filed a formal complaint against the officer, accusing him of misconduct. Police said the investigation will be thorough.

"I can definitely assure you that our investigation will be thorough and if the officer is found to be in violation of any policies and procedures, he will be held accountable. Thank you for your patience and understanding," the statement said.

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