It all started with a simple ‘card declined.’
The 29-year-old man said nothing else. He put on a motorcycle helmet, entered the supermarket in Dourado, Brazil, and began taking bottles of wine one by one and throwing them onto the floor. Cashiers and customers stood frozen as red wine and shards of glass spread through the aisles for two and a half minutes.
According to manager Aparecido Donizete Ballan, the damage exceeded 8.600 dollars in destroyed stock. Before entering, he had already knocked over a motorcycle and battered a sign; inside, he broke a glass door and threatened those present. As he left, he surrendered to the police arriving at the scene, although he was later released after giving his statement.
Detective João Fernando Baptista, who is in charge of the case, suspects that the man was experiencing a psychotic episode. He has no criminal record, but this was not the first time he had caused damage at the same store: he had previously damaged a newly planted tree next to the business. The justice system must now determine whether he can be held criminally liable for what happened.
