Posted on 01/18/2023 12:46:57 PM PST by nickcarraway
The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office says it has an "open and active investigation" into how rat poison ended up in a to-go food order of a man who bought burritos Sunday from a Taco Bell restaurant in the Denver suburb of Aurora, CBS Colorado's Brian Maass reports.
"Right now what we're looking at is if the rat poison was actually put into his food at the restaurant. We don't know if it was, at this point in time," Sheriff Deputy John Bartmann told the station, adding that the case is categorized as "criminal attempt homicide."
Bartmann and the restaurant manager, Lary Swift, both told CBS Colorado that a male customer came into the restaurant around 1 p.m. Sunday and argued with restaurant workers about his food order.
Swift said the man was upset that the restaurant's drink station was not working and "wanted something free." Swift said the man argued with employees and other restaurant customers. She said the man is a regular patron who's caused problems before. On one occasion, she said, he threw a taco at an employee.
Swift said he ordered three bean burritos and was given a fourth burrito free.
Bartmann said that at about 7 p.m., the man ate the restaurant food and "became violently ill" and called 911. He was transported to an area hospital.
"That hospital said they had a patient who has possibly consumed rat poison in his food from the same restaurant," said Bartmann.
Bartmann declined to release the man's identity but said enough rat poison was found in the burritos that "it would have been very serious to our victim's health."
Deputies closed the restaurant on Sunday evening.
Swift said police came back asserting that the eatery had "poisoned somebody."
"We don't carry poison in the restaurant," she said. "We didn't do anything like that. It didn't even add up. It's ridiculous."
Swift said the restaurant turned over surveillance video to Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office investigators and the sheriff's office said it was reviewing the video as well as other evidence it had collected.
CBS News Colorado contacted Taco Bell's corporate communications via email and received the following response: "The safety of customers and team members is a priority. The franchisee who owns and operates this location has informed us that they are working with local authorities in their investigation."
Oh really, you don’t have those not-so-subtle rat hotels along the outer walls of your little building?
I find it hard to believe they don’t have rat poison around. This is common at various places, including restaurants.
I also find it hard to believe an individual employee had some handy strychnine right at the right time. Even if some over-reacting jackass did it, he must’ve gotten it from the shop somewhere.
Maybe somebody poisoned the Chihuahua.
drop the chalupa...
They probably had to add the rat poison in order to get the rats to eat it.
Obvious scam
I agree with your argument. I think the customer did it to himself.
Sorry, I don’t buy that.
Some people are super crazy, sure, but it’s not worth it.
I think it’s totally possible to hold the food. I have.
Perhaps it’s just food poisoning and he left them out rather than refreigerating?
Hi.
Help me here, rat poison is made with a nerve agent, and I can’t remember which one.
Atropine is an antidote.
5.56mm
We have a new Chipotle here, since the summer.
Never have set foot in it..................
My unpopular food take: Taco Bell is the least unhealthy fast food option.
Some FR elitists will trash any brand of fast food that gets mentioned. It’s just how things are.
Given the customer and the employees, I could see it go either way. A bit more to him doing it, says my gut. I could see them putting something nonlethal but gross in there, but most aren’t stupid enough to risk a murder rap for a chronic bad customer.
So, I haven't stopped there in 40 years.
“Which is better rat poison or Taco Bell?”
Many have asked this.
I never eat there, but while waiting in the drive through teller line at the bank, right next to Taco Bell drive through, their drive through is ALWAYS backed up around the building.
Ithaca, NY, not exactly El Paso Texas.
Does anyone know Carl Gallagher’s whereabouts at that time?
https://scatteredquotes.com/what-are-you-reading-rat-poison/
FINANCIAL SHAKEDOWN HOAX?
Remember Taco Bell’s slogan?
“Run for the Bathroom” (or something like that)
I got food poisoning at a nearby Taco Bell/Kentucky fried Chicken about 8 years ago...it was the worst I’ve ever had. I was actually afraid that I WOULDN’T die at one point. I haven’t eaten at one since.
Order a side order of Brussels Sprouts or broccoli. Both are high in Vitamin K and counteract warfarin.
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