Thomas Bittner Accused of Choking Clerk After Trying on a Dress

After trying on a dress at a downtown Colorado Springs store, was Thomas Bittner unhappy about how it looked on him?

Even if he was, that hardly excuses the schmucky behavior cops have accused him of committing.

Namely, choking a clerk and not stopping until another customer punched him out.

According to the Colorado Springs Police Department, the incident took place at around 2:10 p.m. March 9 on the 200 block of Tejon Street, smack in the heart of the Springs' downtown shopping district.

The area is captured in the following interactive graphic. If you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map."

View Larger MapBittner is said to have asked to try on a dress at an unnamed shop, and a staffer at the business kindly accommodated him.

Afterward, he allegedly walked out of the dressing room and headed directly into a restroom — one designated for employees only.

The clerk in question responded by following Bittner into the restroom (he hadn't closed the door) and telling him the lavatory wasn't for customers — at which point he dragged he dragged her into the restroom, pulled her onto the floor and started choking her, the CSPD maintains.

A female customer saw what was happening and took action, punching Bittner until the clerk could break free — after which she raced to a phone and dialed 911.

A man who'd just arrived then prevented Bittner from leaving until officers reached the seen, the report adds.

Fortunately, the clerk received only minor injuries and didn't require hospitalization.

The news was worse for Bittner, who was arrested on suspicion of numerous beefs, including kidnapping, false imprisonment and assault.

No word about what happened with the dress. But we feel strongly it was completely innocent.

Look below to see Bittner's double-booking photos.