A Scranton man threatened to shoot a store clerk who he thought was laughing at him, according to a criminal complaint.
Daniel Samuel Hayes, 35, of 916 S. Main Ave., is charged with making terroristic threats, harassment and disorderly conduct.
According to the complaint:
On Monday, city officers responded to Walgreens on South Main Avenue for the report of a man who had threatened to shoot an employee.
Officers spoke with a store employee who said they were familiar with the suspect because he sat outside the store for hours.
The employee said a man, later identified as Hayes, came into the store and bought a 2-liter bottle of Cherry Coke.
Hayes asked the clerk, “What are you laughing at?” The clerk said he wasn’t laughing.
Hayes responded, “I am going home to get a gun and come back and shoot you.”
The employee said Hayes then walked south on South Main Avenue, and he provided police with a description.
Officers checked the area and could not find Hayes.
A short time later, employees informed officers that Hayes had returned to the store.
The store managers locked down the business and kept patrons and employees inside the store for their safety.
Hayes left the area before police arrived. Officers soon found him at a Sunoco station on South Main Avenue.
Officers identified Hayes through a store receipt and the description provided by employees.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on July 7 before District Judge Christopher Szewczyk.