COLUMBUS, Ohio — Police have arrested a man whom they said was seen on surveillance video throwing food, drinks and other objects at restaurant employees.
On Monday, the Westerville Police Department shared a video on Twitter showing an altercation between a customer and an employee at a GENJIGO restaurant. The video, dated Sept. 21, shows a man talking to an employee before grabbing food and throwing it at the employee. The man can also be seen grabbing bottles from a display and throwing them at the employee.
(Video warning: contains physical confrontation between customers.) pic.twitter.com/CLpnj4QKGA
— Westerville Police (@WestervillePD) September 26, 2022
Workers told police that the incident began when the suspect picked up food, and then returned claiming the order was wrong, WSYX reported. Employees said that while they were trying to fix the order, the suspect was on the phone, threatening someone with violence and cursing and swearing, which prompted a manager to ask him to keep his voice down.
“At that point, he just blew a fuse and he went off and then assaulted the cashier,” Westerville police Lt. Justin Alloway told WSYX.
As the suspect began to walk away, another customer can be seen walking into the frame to confront him. The two then attacked each other, with the customer pushing the suspect into a drink dispenser, WCMH reported.
On Thursday, Westerville police arrested Michael Gary Smith II after receiving a tip from the public, WSYX reported.
Smith is charged with vandalism and assault, according to jail records.
©2022 Cox Media Group
