Breaking news: Streetside spots are scarce in Arlington. Scarce enough to fight over. (Photo: TBD Staff)

Parking spaces in Clarendon can be pretty scarce. Scarce enough to set off tempers. That’s what happened on July 21 in the 900 block of North Wayne Street, where Arlington resident William Reintzel Jr., 39, got involved in a parking-space argument that eventually led to his arrest for assault and battery with his automobile.

But Reintzel didn’t allegedly assault another driver. Rather incredibly, he seems to have gone after a pedestrian who was trying to hold the space for a friend behind the wheel.

As Arlington Det. Crystal Nosal tells us, a man hopped out of his girlfriend’s car to hold a spot with his body as she tried to get into position to park. That’s when Reintzel rolled up in his own ride. Whether there were words exchanged at this point, we’re not sure. But Reintzel allegedly reversed his car into the boyfriend’s knee on purpose, then went on a tirade.

“The victim called the police when the suspect yelled and cursed at him,” says Nosal. To his great credit, the boyfriend was pissed enough to head down to the county magistrate’s office and swear out a warrant, which was quickly issued. Reintzel was locked up the following day and held on $2,000 bond.

So there’s at least one good reason to take Metro to Clarendon.