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Customer accused of damage to Metro PCS store

A customer allegedly upset after learning he did not qualify for a cell phone upgrade is accused of damaging a door and window at a Metro PCS store in Butler, authorities said.

City police Monday charged Tyler J. Barkman, 27, of Butler, with causing more than $1,600 in damage in the Jan. 19 incident. He is facing a hearing next month on a second-degree misdemeanor count of criminal mischief.

Police said they were called to the store on North Main Street around 3:45 p.m. after a man reportedly threw a phone at a wall and then kicked the front door on his way out, cracking the glass. He apparently had gone there looking for a new phone.

About 30 minutes later, investigators said, police were called back to the store after the same man hurled a rock through a window.

Police said Barkman was identified after an employee looked up the man's account information. An officer eventually interviewed him at the station.

He admitted to kicking the door and throwing a rock, police said. Damage was placed at $1,660.56.

“Barkman stated he was intoxicated and frustrated over not being eligible for an upgrade,” according to charging documents.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 15. Online court records did not indicate if he has an attorney.

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