A man apparently figured out how to defeat a gasoline pump system and get away with free fuel over the past few weeks, according to a Denton police report.

The manager of a convenience store in the 3100 block of West University Drive said employees have seen a man getting gas from the same pump four times recently. He did not come inside to pay for the gas, and the computer inside showed an error message.

The manager placed an “out of order” sign on that pump.

He saw the man again Thursday afternoon, getting gas from the pump with the “out of order” sign. He went outside and confronted the man, asking why he was using that pump.

The man climbed back inside his car and drove away.

The manager said another customer showed him how the man had defeated the system with a portable keypad. The numbers he put on the pad allowed him to pump without reflecting the amount of gasoline inside the store.

An investigation is continuing.

Other reports

1100 block of Avenue C — Police received a call from a store Thursday that a couple was fighting inside the business and had moved to the parking lot, where he was beating her car with a shopping cart.

Officers found the pair still in the lot. She said he followed her to the store and attacked her inside, pulling her to the floor and slapping her. Then he attacked her car, she said, and broke both windshields with the cart.

The man said he was angry because he had just learned she had given him a sexually transmitted disease.

200 block of Avenue G — Officers responding to a report of a possible stabbing found a man sobbing hysterically outside an apartment. He had not been injured, but said a roommate threatened him with a knife to his throat.

He said the roommate shoved him against the wall, breaking a picture. The man appeared to be intoxicated, according to the police report.

The roommate was inside with another man. Both claimed there was no fight and no knife. But a broken picture on a wall backed up the victim’s story. An investigation is continuing.

Roundup

From 7 a.m. Thursday to 7 a.m. Friday:

* Denton police responded to three thefts, two assaults, one criminal mischief, three burglaries, one fraud, one counterfeiting and one vehicle burglary.

* Denton County sheriff’s dispatchers handled 264 service and officer-initiated calls for the agencies they serve. Twenty-six people were booked into county jail. Deputies took calls of one burglary, one theft, one vehicle burglary, one sexual assault and one assault.

* Sanger firefighters responded to four traffic accidents and two medical calls.

Aubrey firefighters responded to one traffic accident and five medical calls.

Argyle firefighters responded to one traffic accident, two medical calls and one electrical fire.

Oak Point firefighters responded to one request to assist a motorist and two requests to assist a citizen.

Lake Cities firefighters responded to one electrical fire, one fire and three medical calls.

DONNA FIELDER can be reached at 940-566-6885. Her e-mail address is dfielder@dentonrc.com.

Denton County Crime Stoppers will pay a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in these or other crimes. Callers will remain anonymous. Call 1-800-388-TIPS (8477).