A fast food employee turned violent on Tuesday after learning he would be written up for showing up late to work, according to police in Lake City, Florida.
Police said Russell Francis Gomez, 29, threw frozen hamburger patties at his boss and then started knocking over equipment at Krystal on U.S. Highway 90 West. He poured cooking oil on the floor when the manager tried to go to the office.
Employees got customers out of the store safely while Gomez "flipped the circuit breakers, overturned trash cans, and damaged electronic equipment," according to a release from the Lake City Police Department.
Gomez got into his car and tried to leave, but two customers blocked him from leaving because he was "saying he was going to return and making threats toward the manager," police said.
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Gomez confronted one of the customers and spat in the customer's face. The two customers "grabbed and restrained Gomez" until police arrived, authorities said.
Gomez was bleeding from the mouth when police arrived. He was told to sit while police obtained statements from witnesses. He then tried to leave on foot, but officers safely apprehended him.
Gomez was booked into the Columbia County Jail and faces three counts of aggravated battery, and one count each of assault, criminal mischief and resisting an officer without violence. He also faces a charge of driving while his license was suspended or revoked.
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