Slow service at McDonald’s ends with ‘irritated’ customer arrested, FL cops say

An impatient McDonald’s customer got so fed up with the service that he marched behind the counter and snatched a cash register drawer, according to investigators in Florida.

That’s called a “robbery in progress,” and it ended with the 32-year-old man in jail, the Cape Coral Police Department said in a news release.

The dispute started just after 4 a.m. Wednesday, April 30, at a McDonald’s with 24-hour service, police said in a May 1 news release.

“Video from the McDonald’s shows the man speaking with an employee near the register. When the employee set the cash drawer down, the man continued to engage in conversation with her, which escalated into a verbal argument,” police said.

“The male then walked behind the counter, forcing his way by the two employees, and grabbed the loose cash drawer. The male and two employees tugged against the cash drawer until the male let go. ... The male appears to continue the verbal argument, and then leaves the area in a silver vehicle.”

Detectives with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office were able to identify the man as someone who lives near the restaurant, and police visited the Cape Coral home later that same day, officials said.

“The suspect introduced himself and was willing to talk with detectives. He was cooperative and said he went through the drive-thru area and was not receiving any help,” police said.

“He was irritated, parked his car, and went inside. He said he had no intention of stealing any money, but was frustrated and made a bad decision.”

The man was arrested and charged with attempted robbery and two counts of battery, police said.

Cape Coral is about a 130-mile drive south from Tampa.

This story was originally published May 1, 2025 at 2:44 PM with the headline "Slow service at McDonald’s ends with ‘irritated’ customer arrested, FL cops say."