CLAYMONT, DE — A 74-year-old New Castle man faces felony charges after allegedly striking a Meineke Car Care Center employee with his vehicle during a dispute over a repair bill Tuesday morning, according to Delaware State Police.
Troopers responded at approximately 11:45 a.m. Aug. 18 to the Meineke at 3005 Philadelphia Pike, where they found an employee with visible injuries and identified the customer as Ellis Brownson, police reported.
According to the preliminary investigation, Brownson and the employee became involved in a verbal dispute after Brownson allegedly refused to pay the full amount due for repairs to his vehicle.
Police allege Brownson then left the business and entered his vehicle while the employee stood in front of it. Brownson allegedly drove forward and struck the employee.
The employee declined medical treatment at the scene, according to state police.
Troopers took Brownson into custody without incident and transported him to Troop 1. He was charged with felony possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony and second-degree assault.
Brownson was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Delaware Department of Correction on $22,500 cash bail, according to police.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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