Port Washington gas station assault, man arrested

PORT WASHINGTON, Wis. - Port Washington police arrested a man they say assaulted a gas station clerk Tuesday night, Sept. 19. The man was taken into custody Thursday afternoon for battery.

The attack happened around 8 p.m. Police said the man confronted the clerk and pulled out a bottle – splashing liquid mixed with an "unknown substance" on the clerk's face multiple times. Police said it caused the clerk pain and temporary blindness.

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The man then ran away.

It happened at the SP Mart on West Grand Avenue. The victim didn't want to do an interview on camera with FOX6 to protect her privacy, but she said Wednesday she's doing better and wants justice.

"I shop here almost every day because I live in Port, and they’re local, and you like the people, and you get to know the people," said Mike Pierron.

Pierron, an SP Mart regular, learned about something irregular that happened at the store.

"Something happened to one of my friends," said Pierron." I stopped by to say, 'What happened? Is she OK?'"

The worker said the attacker was a return customer who caused issues with her in the past, adding that the attack was unexpected, and the substance made her skin burn.

She said she's grateful her vision came back.

"I don't like to hear it," said Pierron. "I'm anti-bully. You want your hometown protected. You want it safe."