It cost Danny Smith more than a penny to express his thoughts after buying a beer at a Memphis store.

The Commercial Appeal reported that police arrested Smith, 51, after he called 911 twice on Monday, then called a non-emergency number after being dissatisfied. His complaint: The clerk at the store over charged him by a penny.

The calls started just after 4 p.m. after Smith bought a 16-ounce Heineken.

Web site TheSmokingGun.com has a copy of the arrest report.

The store clerk refused to hand over the penny Smith demanded, so he called 911. Police arrived and told Smith it was a civil matter.

After the third call to police in his quest for a penny, officers arrested Smith.

Bonding out of jail cost him $250. Jail records did not list an attorney for Smith.

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Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com