BELLINGHAM - A Ferndale man was arrested Monday, April 19, after allegedly punching a Cost Cutter employee who told him customers complained about his body odor.

At about 11:40 a.m., Bellingham police responded to the Cost Cutter at 1275 E. Sunset Drive for a report of a fight between an employee and Christopher T. Boehringer, 31, said police spokesman Mark Young.

Officers found employees holding Boehringer down in the second aisle of the store.

Boehringer apparently was in the store for about four hours Sunday when the complaints were made by other customers. When he returned to the store Monday, the employee decided to discuss the problem.

"It doesn't appear (the employee) was going to ask him to leave the store. He was just sharing the complaints, but the conversation didn't get far," Young said.

Boehringer "snapped," Young said, throwing down a package of batteries and punching the employee in the mouth. The employee suffered a minor injury that didn't require treatment.

Boehringer was booked into Whatcom County Jail for investigation of fourth-degree assault.