NORTH ATTLEBORO - Police say an irate customer threatened to shoot a store clerk at Emerald Square mall Thursday, a day after a 19-year-old man went on a shooting rampage at a Nebraska mall.

Alfonso Mauricio landed behind bars Friday when an Attleboro District Court judge ordered him held in jail on $15,000 cash bail.

Mauricio, 27, of Central Falls, R.I., argued Thursday with the manager of the T-Mobile store over a store receipt for an account in someone else's name, prosecutors said Friday.

When the manager refused to give him the account information, Mauricio allegedly reached into his pocket and said, "That's why people get shot at the mall," prosecutors said.

The exchange occurred a day after 19-year-old Robert A. Hawkins killed eight people and himself with an assault rifle Wednesday at Westroads Mall's Von Maur store in Omaha, Neb. The incident is the deadliest mall shooting in united States history. North Attleboro police said that after Mauricio allegedly threatened the manager, other customers who overheard the comments left the store.

The manager hit a silent panic alarm, sending police officers, who were in the area of the mall at the time, to the store in time to find Mauricio still sitting at the counter.

Officer Kevin Mobley frisked Mauricio, but no weapon was found.

Mauricio allegedly admitted to making the comment, but told police he was angry because he did not understand why the clerk could not give him the account information.

Judge Richard D. Savignano ordered Mauricio held in jail on bail after Mauricio pleaded innocent to assault by means of a dangerous weapon, uttering threats, being disorderly and disturbing the peace.

The judge cited the seriousness of the charges and the alleged threats in his reasons for bail.

Assistant District Attorney Diane Bunk requested $20,000 cash bail.

Mauricio is appealing the bail to superior court and is due back in Attleboro District Court Dec. 28.