As the hunt for gas continues for many locals, tensions reportedly reached a new level Monday morning, as police arrested a Stony Brook teenager after he allegedly threatened to stab gas station employees.
According to one employee, who only asked to be identified as Mike, the 17-year-old asked for premium gas, which the BP at 728 Route 25A had sold out of earlier that morning. From there, tensions escalated quickly, he said.
"He told us we better go find it," the employee said, adding that a little bit of foul language was thrown into the exchange. "So we told him 'You gotta go. We don't have it.' He said 'I got a knife on me. I'm going to stab you guys.'"
The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. at the beginning of a new work week for many as gas remains scarce across Long Island. Politicians announced over the weekend that FEMA has earmarked 120 gas stations throughout Long Island for shipments. However the shortage could still last up until the weekend.
“For now patience is required,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “Now is not the time to be using the car if you don’t have to.”
Suffolk Police said they are charging the teenager involved in Monday's incident, Jared Giacolone, as an adult on misdemeanor charges of second-degree menacing and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He is expected to be arraigned at a later date.
The employee who witnessed the incident Monday morning added that tempers have flared here and there over the past few days, but nothing to the extent seen Monday morning.
"Obviously people are throwing tempers and stuff like that," he said. "But as far as inflicting anything on anyone, this is the first."
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect the correct hometown of the teen charged in this incident.
