Hamdan (Dan) Ahmad, owner of the American Dream gas station on 400 Main Road, said he thought he was dreaming when the Tiverton police called him at 3 a.m. last Wednesday, April 10, informing him that a little over an hour earlier, someone had smashed six digital screens on either side of three fuel pumps at his place of business.

“It’s funny and not so funny,” said Ahmad. “I thought I was dreaming, so I went back to sleep.”

The next call came around 9 a.m. from the gas station’s manager. This time Ahmad, fully awake, realized his property had indeed been seriously vandalized, resulting in a devastating loss of business for at least the next two months, until the fuel pumps can be replaced.

“We were doing fine,” Ahmad said. “We had no enemies whatsoever. That’s the weird part. I mean, who would do this?”

Tiverton police charged a Fall River man, 19-year-old Jadon B. West, with vandalism and disorderly conduct shortly after last week’s early morning rampage. Police say video surveillance showed the suspect using what appears to be a large rock to smash the screens in rapid succession sometime before 2 a.m.

After police arrived and surveyed the damage, they began searching the area. At the intersection of Main Road and State Avenue, they saw a man who matched the suspect’s description sleeping on a bench. Questioned later at police headquarters, West admitting to causing the damage.

He was held overnight and later transported to Second Division District Court in Newport. Bail was set at $1,000 surety. His next scheduled court date is this Thursday, April 18.   

Ahmad owns nine gas stations, including the one that was vandalized, which he purchased about three years ago. He said his insurance should cover the pumps’ replacement, but it will likely not cover his loss of income. The best case scenario, he said, is customers will be able to pump gas again in about two months.

Ahmad said he is grateful for community support. As soon as word spread about the damage, customers began showing up to use the car wash at the business.

“There are such good people in Tiverton that are supporting us right now,” he said. “It is a great community.”