A woman accused of beating a McDonald’s manager for not getting enough ketchup was arrested on Nov. 27, said the Santa Ana Police Department.
The suspect, 24-year-old Mayra Berenice Gallo, was located and taken into custody from her Santa Ana residence after authorities received a number of tips regarding the woman. Police had previously released video of the incident and asked the public’s help to identify the suspect.
According to police, Gallo entered the McDonald’s restaurant at 1400 block of Bristol Street on Oct. 27 around 11:00 p.m. and ordered food through the drive-thru lane.
“She didn’t get her ketchup or enough ketchup so she takes it on herself to go through the employee entrance and confronts the manager,” SAPD Cpl. Anthony Bertagna told CNS. “The manager says, ‘Hey, you have to go outside’ and then the beating erupted.”
The incident was recorded by security cameras from different angles. The video shows Gallo pushed, punched, and choked one of the employees, and another employee tried to block Gallo.
While the three were struggling together, one of the employees still managed to hand over some change to a customer who was waiting outside the window.
In the end, a man who was believed to be a companion of Gallo walked in and stopped Gallo from beating the employee. He then walked with Gallo out of the restaurant.
The woman could be easily seen on camera in gray pants and a light pink shirt, with her face clearly visible. Police had described her as Hispanic and around 20 to 25 years old with brown hair.
Authorities had also told local media that the man with her would not be in trouble, since he did not commit a crime.
“We’re actually grateful for the service he provided, he stopped the assault,” police spokesman Anthony Bertagna told KTLA.
Another McDonald’s Assault
Police in Glendale, Wisconsin were also looking for an assault suspect earlier this year, after a woman walked behind a McDonald’s counter and attacked a juvenile employee on March 18.The woman, who had been a drive-thru customer, accused the restaurant of giving her the wrong breakfast order. She was given a refund, but she was still upset.
The woman then shoved a 17-year-old employee to the ground and caused her to hit her head twice. The woman then fled the restaurant with a friend.
The Glendale Police Department released multiple photos of the woman on social media captured from store security cameras. After numerous tips, the woman was located and arrested, and authorities thanked the news media for covering the story.
“Thanks to all of your help, we arrested the suspect in this case today!” the department posted on Facebook on March 21. "We received dozens of tips that helped make this happen. A true team effort!
