Manager strip-searched teen

DentonRC.com ^ | 03-27-04 | Associated Press

[jaykay]

Manager strip-searched teen

Act ordered by caller claiming to be police

08:41 PM CST on Saturday, March 27, 2004

Associated Press

FOUNTAIN HILLS, Ariz. - Authorities are investigating a report that a manager of a fast-food restaurant conducted a strip search of a teenage female customer. Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said an unidentified caller pretending to be a police officer directed the 39-year-old manager of a Taco Bell restaurant to conduct the search Monday after giving a general description of a theft suspect.

The girl, a 17-year-old high school student, was taken to a back room. There, she was strip-searched, cavity-searched and forced to do jumping jacks by the manager, who reportedly was acting on directions from the caller, authorities said.

The girl's parents notified sheriff's deputies. Sheriff Arpaio said no arrests have been made in the case. But similar calls have been made in several other states, including Alaska, Utah, Ohio and Massachusetts, said the sheriff, who said he's sending a letter to Phoenix-area restaurants warning employees of the fraud.

[jaykay]

an unidentified caller pretending to be a police officer directed the 39-year-old manager of a Taco Bell restaurant to conduct the search

That's his story and he's stickin' to it.

Jumping jacks? By that point, you'd think this manager would have figured out that it was a scam, unless he was having to much fun to care.

People must be getting stupider, 'cause I doubt that it's just me gettin' smarter.

[Bogey78O]

Cavity search?

Oh c'mon. The manager had to be in on it.

[jaykay]

By the way, it wouldn't be a bad idea to tell wives, daughters, sisters, girlfriends, etc... that if any store or restaurant manager or rent a cop tries this, ask for the cops to be called. Yell and scream if necessary.

[DB]

Stupid is no excuse.

This "manager" should have known better. He better darn well be charged.

[Young Rhino]

This "manager" should have known better. He better darn well be charged.

In this case, stupidity is a crime. Forced sterilization of said manager would also be a good idea in order to prevent perpetuation of his genes.

[JLS]

Yep someone at the very least needs to kick this "managers" butt to show him he better dare not do such a thing again. If this had happened to my daughter when she was 17, I would have felt obligated to do something about it.

One good reason to raise assertive children is to equip them to stop such silliness. And I know the police were not involved this time, but a cop did a similar thing recently in Pensacola which is part of the reason the cops can do no wrong you should always be 100% compliant crowd around here is all wet.

[jaykay]

Yeah, nobody could be that dumb. You'd think somebody in a position of responsibility would be smart enough to tell the 'cop' on the phone to come over and get the 'suspect.'

[GeronL]

You would think the manager would be more intelligent than to believe something like that.

[GeronL]

39-years old????

A pre-teen should know something like that was bogus.

[jaykay]

Forced sterilization of said manager would also be a good idea in order to prevent perpetuation of his genes.

At age 39? Prob too late.

[GeronL]

where in the Taco Bell Manager Handbook^TM does it tell them they have this kind of authority over a customer??

False imprisonment and sexual harassment should be charged at least.

[GeronL]

Its still hard to believe anyone could be THAT stupid. And at 39!

[Fledermaus]

Probably a Democrat.

[jaykay]

Well, if this girl gets at least a marginal attorney, she'll own that Taco Bell and the managers house, car...

[johnmorris886]

Where do you guys get this was a Male Manager? I am almost certain this was a FEMALE manager.

[GeronL]

what do you mean probably?? I guess there is a chance he never votes...

[jaykay]

Hopefully a Democrat. I think we can do without this one.

[GeronL]

LOL. The person is toast, just like their IQ

[jaykay]

I heard the Maricopa County Sherriff, Joe Arpaio on the radio talking about this case. He said that the manager was a man.

[johnmorris886]

Check out this story, Notice how the "Customer" Changed to "Employee".

Taco Bell worker stripped, searched

Laura Dobbins The Arizona Republic

Mar. 27, 2004 12:00 AM

FOUNTAIN HILLS - Authorities say a 39-year-old Taco Bell manager forced a 17-year-old female employee to strip and endure a body search after a caller posing as a police officer gave him instructions to do so at the Fountain Hills restaurant this week.

The girl was taken to a back room in the restaurant and told to disrobe, said Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Once naked, she was asked to do jumping jacks and was then subjected to a body search, Arpaio said.

The apparent ruse began when a caller posing as a police officer called the Taco Bell this week giving a general description of a female employee he said needed to be detained as a crime suspect.

The Taco Bell manager carried out instructions as the caller listened on the phone, Arpaio said. It appears the scam has been circulating since 1999. A person or persons call fast-food restaurants pretending to be law enforcement officers or corporate directors looking to arrest store employees, Arpaio said.

Parents of the victim were furious when they learned from their daughter what transpired. They contacted the Sheriff's Office, which launched an investigation.

"No law enforcers would ever have a civilian detain and search someone," Arpaio said.

The Sheriff's Office has issued letters to all Valley corporate fast-food offices warning them of this scam. Taco Bell administrators have also contacted stores nationwide.

"Employees have been instructed to take the caller's information and pass it on to local law enforcers," said Laurie Schalow, Taco Bell spokeswoman. Arpaio said he doesn't know whether the girl has received counseling. The manager has been placed on administrative leave with pay during the investigation.

---------------------

.