Man banned from grocery store after causing disturbance over garlic

By Brandi Makuski

A Stevens Point man has been banned from shopping in a local grocery store after causing a disturbance.

Jesse M. Kozelek, 41, was cited for disorderly conduct on Jan. 28 after he reportedly became loud and argumentative while throwing produce at Trigs grocery store, 1600 Academy Ave. Police were called to the store at 12:41 p.m.

According to the incident report, Kozelek approached store employees to complain about the cost of garlic bulbs.

“He wished there was unpeeled garlic, which wasn’t in stock, because the unpeeled garlic was cheaper,” said Assistant Police Chief Tom Zenner.

Kozelek began throwing garlic around the produce section of the store, Zenner said, then left. Store employees obtained his license plate number as he left the parking lot, then called the police.

“The officer was able to locate Mr. Kozelek based on his [license] plate, who admitted what he’d done and voiced his disdain for the cost of peeled garlic,” Zenner said.

Kozelek was issued a citation for disorderly conduct, as well as a form indicating he was “no longer welcome” at the store. If he returns, he could be cited for trespassing, Zenner said.