By Erica Thomas, managing editor
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville Police Department released a statement Monday after an incident at the Circle K on Main Street, in Trussville.
The gas station’s pumps were turned off by Alabama’s Department of Agriculture and Industries’ Weights and Measures Division last week. The Trussville Police Department called the state after several drivers claimed their cars broke down because of the water in the gasoline.
One man, Terry Key, owns a car dealership near Trussville and when his own vehicle broke down, he felt it was important to warn others.
“I got gas and my truck broke down,” Key said. “So, I called her [Circle K manager] and I’m like, ‘Hey, you ‘ve got water in your gas.”
Key said the manager of the store told him they did not have water in their gas so he drove back to the store, filled up a clear bottle with the gas and showed her that there was in fact water in the gas from Pump 3. Although he showed the bottle to the manager, Key said she refused to turn off the pumps. That’s when he began warning people at the gas station about the issue.
Key said he stood near the pumps and warned every person that pulled up to pump gas. The gas station manager then asked Key to leave but he refused. Trussville Police were called by store management and Key was then trespassed from the location.
“So, I go over and stand at Regions Bank and I’m telling people when they pull up, ‘Hey, don’t get gas here,” Key said.
After about 20 minutes, Key said another officer came to Regions and he said that officer was “threatening and rude” when he responded to the call. Key said the officer told him he was going to take him to jail for causing a public uproar and being a nuisance.
“He said he was having a bad day already and wasn’t dealing with my sh**,” Key later posted on Facebook, along with a video from the gas station. “As a Trussville resident and business owner I was trying to look out for my fellow residents.”
The video and post on Facebook quickly spread and The Trussville Tribune requested a statement from police on Friday.
SEE RELATED STORY: Trussville Circle K addressing water in gas after car breakdowns
Trussville Police released a statement Monday after reviewing bodycam footage from the incident. They said the description about what happened that was posted on Facebook did not match the bodycam footage.
“All officers acted within the policies and procedures of the Trussville Police Department,” said Chief Eric Rush. “Contrary to the claim made on social media, there was absolutely zero profanity used by any of my officers. We responded to two separate calls about these individuals causing a scene at Circle K. One was called in by Circle K management and the other was called in by a customer that was concerned about the actions of the two individuals involved. During the second response, the two individuals were told that if they continued their loud and disorderly behavior, their arrest would be the outcome. After the situation was resolved, one of my officers contacted the proper State department that regulates gasoline and reported the issue. The number is located on every gas pump and it is the proper way to report any issues with water contaminated gasoline.”
Rush said it could be dangerous for a citizen to take an issue like this into their own hands.
“Customers will question the motivation behind someone telling them that the gas they are about to pump is contaminated with water,” Rush added. “That is why a customer called police in this situation.”
While Rush said he understands the motivation behind Key’s actions, he hopes if this ever happens again, a citizen will use the proper protocol to get the issue resolved.
Key said he reported the issue with the responding officer with the Trussville Police Department.
Trussville Police said they will not release the bodycam footage at this time.