Mendham Man Drives off With Gas Pump, Cops Say

Consider this a cautionary tale: If you're not sure what someone said, always, always ask them to repeat—especially when you've got their gas pump sticking out of your car.

Such was the case Tuesday night when a customer from Mendham at the Washington Street Lukoil gas station thought he heard the attendant say "you're all good" and tried to drive away with the pump still attached, knocking it off and causing a fire in the process.

According to accounts given to Morristown Police Officer Adam Khoudja, shortly before 9 p.m., the Mendham resident pulled into the gas station and asked for the attendant to fill up his Mercedes while he went into the gas station's convenience store to buy a pack of cigarettes, according to Khoudja's report.

When the man came out, he told police he thought he heard the attendant say "you're all good," meaning the car was filled and he could leave.

The transaction wasn't finished, however, resulting in the man taking the gas pump with him, knocking it over and starting a fire in the process.

The Morristown Fire Department responded to the scene and quickly shut down the gas pumps, extinguished the fire and cleaned up the spilled fuel, according to police.

The driver was apologetic, Khoudja said. There was no damage to his vehicle and he did not need medical attention, according to the report.

The gas pump, however, was not so lucky. An attendant there said, if the pump needs to be replaced, it will end up costing $5,000 to $10,000.

For questions about this post, email john.dunphy@patch.com.