VIDEO: Disgruntled customer returns to store flashing gun

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A customer tries to bring back a piece of merchandise and wants a refund. A clerk says that this is not store policy. The customer doesn’t like the answer, leaves, and returns with a gun, and robs the place.

On May 28, police say Steven Parson entered Rio Grande Liquidators on Fourth Street to return a ceiling fan. The clerk says Parson wanted a refund. “He wanted his money refunded but store policy is ‘no money back,'” the clerk said.

He told police Parson then became argumentative with him and demanded his money back on the $80 purchase. “There is going to be a problem and you know what that insinuates, ‘Great, what do I do now?'” the clerk told the police.

The criminal complaint states that Parson left the store but came back in with something else – a gun. The clerk told police that is when Parson’s demands escalated.

“‘Give me my money back,’ and that is when he was threatening me and he said we are going to have a big problem and I said ‘What do you want me to do,’ and he said ‘Give me my money back.’ That is when he flashed the gun,” the clerk said.

He said that this is when Parson demanded that he open the cash register.

Officer: Did he say anything before he left?
Clerk: No. He said give me that f****** money, give me that f****** money, and then left.

The security camera captures Parson’s leaving the store and you can see what looks like a gun in his left hand. A previous purchase at the store helped police track down Parson.

He bought a refrigerator early in May and was driving a different vehicle. Police were able to track that vehicle back to Parson’s address where he was arrested a couple of weeks later.

Parson was charged with armed robbery and is being held until trial. He has a long criminal history, including stealing cars and fleeing from police.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.