Man arrested for threatening, harassing Big O Tires staff

A Maricopa man was arrested Saturday morning after allegedly threatening staff at the Big O Tires auto shop.

Paul Stowell faces multiple charges, including trespassing, disorderly conduct and providing false information to law enforcement, police said.

About 8 a.m. police were called to the shop on John Wayne Parkway to investigate a report of a man, later identified as Stowell, displaying “extremely disruptive” behavior, including revving his engine, acting erratic and arguing with employees. At one point, Stowell allegedly took a yellow propane torch from his vehicle and walked toward workers, asking if they liked playing with fire, police said.

Big O employees asked Stowell to leave multiple times, a request met several times with a middle finger, according to a police report.

When police arrived on the scene, Stowell tried to leave before he was confronted by officers. He provided a name later found to be fake when police checked his vehicle registration, police said.

Stowell was arrested and booked into Pinal County Jail. He has since been released, according to online inmate records.