Wayne County official, husband charged with pulling guns in fight over $.10 bottle deposit at gas station

The beginning of the argument and its progression are captured on store video. Larry Bradford protested about the $.10 bottle deposit fee, which he mistook for tax, after purchasing a can of Mountain Dew.

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    Wayne County Parks Director Alicia Bradford and her husband, Larry Bradford, are accused of assaulting a gas station customer.
    
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    Store surveillance video shows the couple arguing with an employee and then a customer about the state’s $.10 bottle deposit law.
    
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    Larry and Alicia Bradford both pulled out guns and were both ultimately arrested.
    

• 
  Wayne County Parks Director Alicia Bradford and her husband, Larry Bradford, are accused of assaulting a gas station customer.
  
• 
  Store surveillance video shows the couple arguing with an employee and then a customer about the state’s $.10 bottle deposit law.
  
• 
  Larry and Alicia Bradford both pulled out guns and were both ultimately arrested.
  

FOX 2.Following a confrontation with her husband and a customer at a petrol station store shortly after midnight on January 1st, which resulted in the drawing of pistols over a $.10 bottle deposit, a Wayne County official is being charged.

At the BP gas station on Orchard Lake Road, Alicia Bradford, the director of Wayne County Parks, and her husband, Larry Bradford, are accused with assault with a dangerous weapon and felony firearm.

The beginning of the argument and its progression are captured on store video. Larry Bradford protested about the $.10 bottle deposit fee, which he mistook for tax, after purchasing a can of Mountain Dew.

Bradford and a customer in line behind him yell at each other when the clerk claims to have proof on the receipt.

An argument over $.10 escalates

We know:

Before they started fighting, Larry Bradford is seen on camera pushing the man. Bradford then throws the man into merchandise racks after striking him with the pop can in his hand. “Let me get my pistol,” he says.

Returning with the gun, Larry Bradford yells at the man, “Get on your (expletive) knees), say you’re sorry.”

Bradford strikes the man in the head as he apologizes and then, while brandishing the revolver, demands that he locate his ring.

Larry is hurriedly asked by Alicia Bradford if the man attempted to rob him. The man declines and advises contacting the police.

According to Larry Bradford, “I should kill you,” “I should blow your mother (expletive) brains out.”

Second view of a fight at a gas station where a Wayne County official and her husband grabbed weapons.

While the man remained kneeling, Alicia Bradford returned to the store with her revolver drawn and declared she would contact the police.

Alicia Bradford adds, “You’re going to stay down there,” and then inquires as to what transpired.

The man explains, “We got into an argument over the price of pop,”

Alicia Bradford asks, “What are you getting in it for, what does that have to do with you?”

She said, “I could do something to you,” “I’m calling the police.”

She backed out of the store, and then she heard a woman threaten, “I’ll kill you.”

When police arrived at the petrol station, they arrested the Bradfords instead of the victim or store employee.

Fallout from the incident

Next steps:

FOX 2 asked Alicia Bradford for a statement, but she passed our camera without responding.

According to the Wayne County Public Information Officer, Bradford has been placed on leave.

“We will not be providing further comments while the matter is under investigation,” added the statement.

Following their arraignment, Alicia and Larry Bradford were granted a $50,000 personal bond. On January 13, both must appear in court.

The information was obtained from Wayne County Public Information, the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Farmington Hills Police Department report.