A suspect who allegedly slugged a customer of Cost Less Foods in the face without provocation and fled the scene on Monday afternoon, Sept. 7, was arrested and faces charges.

Nicholas Drouet, 30, of Modesto, was arrested on charges of battery after an officer found him in his car in the River Road and Ninth Street area.

The victim said he was in the store with family members at 4:40 p.m. when an unknown white male struck him in the face with his fist. Employees chased after the suspect and saw him take off in a car, of which they got a description. When officers did a search they found the suspect driving a short time later.

The victim positively identified Drouet as the suspect who hit him.

Ceres Police Department spokesman Sgt. James Yandell said it's not known why Drouet slugged the man.