MERCED - William Terrell Colbert, 39, of Merced was charged Friday with two felonies and two misdemeanors stemming from an altercation with Merced police which began late in the evening of March 12th at the AM/PM Mini Mart on G Street and Olive. Merced Police were dispatched to the convenience store after receiving a frantic phone call from the store clerk who said that an irate customer had threatened him with a gun after his credit card had been declined for a purchase. The clerk advised dispatch that he had locked the doors to the business after the customer, identified as Colbert, had gone to his car to retrieve what the clerk believed was a gun. The clerk can be heard on the 911 call telling dispatch that he was hiding in the cooler and to send officers immediately.
Several police units responded to the scene and the clerk then opened the door to let other customers enter the store. Once Colbert saw the door being unlocked, and in the presence of police officers, he charged the clerk who quickly retreated back into the store. Colbert was escorted out of the store by a police officer. When an effort was made to physically detain Colbert while police investigated the incident, Colbert resisted.