Schaumburg store owner charged in scuffle over sandwich

No, it wasn't a spicy meatball.

However, a customer who last week ordered a meatball sandwich from a Schaumburg Subway restaurant did claim his sub lacked the proper heat, police said.

The serving temperature of the 6-inch, 560-calorie sandwich seemingly precipitated the arrest of a 61-year-old Subway owner, whom police said shoved an officer on Aug. 26 outside the store on the 800 block of West Golf Road.

A customer had complained his sandwich was cold and unsuccessfully tried to lobby the store owner, Ahmad Lotfizadeh, for a new sandwich, police said. The request then turned into wanting his money back, police said. Police said the owner denied the requests, and the customer called police.

When police arrived, Lotfizadeh refused to answer questions, police said, repeatedly walking away from the officer. After the officer followed Lotfizadeh out of the store, police said Lotfizadeh shoved him in the arm and chest areas and the two tumbled to the ground.

"It appeared the gentleman was a little upset and emotional," Schaumburg police Sgt. John Nebl said. Nebl added the officer only wanted Lotfizadeh to sign the report.

Lotfizadeh suffered a cut on his face, while the officer went to St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates where doctors treated him for elbow and knee injuries, police said.

Lotfizadeh, of 7215 Baybury Lane in Darien, was charged with battery. He's scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 9 in Rolling Meadows. When reached via phone on Monday, Lotfizadeh called the incident an accident.