Man arrested after striking McDonald’s employee with crowbar in Seattle

SEATTLE — A man was arrested Tuesday after breaking a drive-thru window and assaulting an employee at a McDonald’s, according to Seattle police.

Shortly after midnight on Dec. 7, the suspect parked his vehicle at the McDonald’s location at 222 5th Avenue, across the street from Seattle Center, and approached the drive-thru window on foot.

He demanded food from the employee working at the window, but she told him he needed to go to the other side of the building and place his order through the speaker. The suspect refused to follow directions and reportedly made faces and threats at the employee in an attempt to intimidate her.

The store’s manager stepped in and tried to reason with him. When she was unsuccessful, she closed the drive-thru window. The suspect then grabbed a crowbar from his vehicle and threw it towards the store, shattering the drive-thru window and striking an employee in the back of her head.

A customer who witnessed the incident approached the suspect and punched him, knocking him to the ground before placing him in a chokehold. It was at this time that the manager called 911 and reported that there was a fight taking place outside the restaurant.

Officers arrived shortly afterward and encountered the suspect, who told them he had visited the location before and had issues with the staff getting his order wrong on prior occasions. He shared with officers that he felt that the staff owed him.

After interviewing both McDonald’s employees, police arrested the suspect for assault in the second degree, malicious mischief and harassment. A search of the suspect’s criminal history revealed he has no past convictions.

©2021 Cox Media Group