wtp285
11-29-2004, 03:15 PM
New Mexico-- Ordering food and finding a hair in it is pretty gross. But finding a big wad of spit left intentionally is more than gross, it’s an outright, anti-social act of hostility. And one native Baytonian is letting it be known that it can be a serious crime.
Adam Crosby, a Rio Rancho, N.M. police officer born and raised in Baytown, is on a crusade to make it known that food workers who adulterate food and then give it to customers can be charged with, depending on the circumstances, battery or assault. His mission was inspired by a similar incident that he experienced.
The 1993 Robert E. Lee High School graduate was in uniform and in a marked car, going through a drive-through at a fast food restaurant when it happened to him. While ordering his food, he noticed an employee could see him through an open back door.
According to police reports, that employee went back into the restaurant and yelled, “Cop in the drive-through.” His job was to make Crosby’s cheeseburger, but he added an extra ingredient — a big wad of spit and phlegm.
Crosby discovered it in the worst way possible. While he was eating the cheeseburger, he noticed a long strain of spit connecting his mouth to the burger. Then something slimy hit his lower lip. He opened the burger to find the loogie sitting on the sliced tomato.
The Rio Rancho police department had recently arrested the culprit for aggravated burglary, so he probably had a grudge against police officers, Crosby said.
“He didn’t like law enforcement officers and he got his chance,” he said.
Crosby said the incident had an effect on him beyond that day. He still feels nauseated when he sees a sliced tomato and will not eat at a restaurant where he cannot see his food being prepared, he said.
The hostility of the act even made him quit the police force for a few months. He worked as a master technician for the city’s EMS service before returning to the police force recently.
“My careers have always been geared toward helping people,” he said. “This was a slap in the face.”
Immediately after the incident and after he vomited a few times, Crosby did more than scold the manager. He called his colleagues over, who arrested the employee. He was charged with battery to a police officer, a felony offense. The employee recently pleaded guilty to the charges.
The charges are the same as those that may be filed against someone who physically attacks a police officer. Such an action can spread diseases like hepatitis A and even, in rare cases, HIV, Crosby said.
“I would really rather he punch me in the face,” he said.
The case received statewide attention and the story ran on national newswires. Crosby said he is seeking more national attention for the story and is contacting producers from shows like Oprah and Dr. Phil.
He said he is trying to make it known that such charges can be pursued against food service workers if they adulterate food and then give it to a customer. Crosby also has a civil suit pending against the restaurant chain and the employee.
“When trying to file a charge, we found no criminal cases,” he said. “Now he’s actually been charged, was indicted, pleaded guilty and is now waiting for sentencing.”
Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal said such cases are not prosecuted as criminal cases in Harris County.
“It would be a health code violation,” he said. “I don’t know of any criminal charges that would be filed.”
Rosenthal also said that the fact that Crosby’s case took place in New Mexico means it has no bearing on criminal law in Texas.
But Crosby said he hopes other jurisdictions pursue such charges.
“I’m definitely getting the word out that when it happens, there are criminal charges,” he said.
Courtesy of: BaytownSun
Adam Crosby, a Rio Rancho, N.M. police officer born and raised in Baytown, is on a crusade to make it known that food workers who adulterate food and then give it to customers can be charged with, depending on the circumstances, battery or assault. His mission was inspired by a similar incident that he experienced.
The 1993 Robert E. Lee High School graduate was in uniform and in a marked car, going through a drive-through at a fast food restaurant when it happened to him. While ordering his food, he noticed an employee could see him through an open back door.
According to police reports, that employee went back into the restaurant and yelled, “Cop in the drive-through.” His job was to make Crosby’s cheeseburger, but he added an extra ingredient — a big wad of spit and phlegm.
Crosby discovered it in the worst way possible. While he was eating the cheeseburger, he noticed a long strain of spit connecting his mouth to the burger. Then something slimy hit his lower lip. He opened the burger to find the loogie sitting on the sliced tomato.
The Rio Rancho police department had recently arrested the culprit for aggravated burglary, so he probably had a grudge against police officers, Crosby said.
“He didn’t like law enforcement officers and he got his chance,” he said.
Crosby said the incident had an effect on him beyond that day. He still feels nauseated when he sees a sliced tomato and will not eat at a restaurant where he cannot see his food being prepared, he said.
The hostility of the act even made him quit the police force for a few months. He worked as a master technician for the city’s EMS service before returning to the police force recently.
“My careers have always been geared toward helping people,” he said. “This was a slap in the face.”
Immediately after the incident and after he vomited a few times, Crosby did more than scold the manager. He called his colleagues over, who arrested the employee. He was charged with battery to a police officer, a felony offense. The employee recently pleaded guilty to the charges.
The charges are the same as those that may be filed against someone who physically attacks a police officer. Such an action can spread diseases like hepatitis A and even, in rare cases, HIV, Crosby said.
“I would really rather he punch me in the face,” he said.
The case received statewide attention and the story ran on national newswires. Crosby said he is seeking more national attention for the story and is contacting producers from shows like Oprah and Dr. Phil.
He said he is trying to make it known that such charges can be pursued against food service workers if they adulterate food and then give it to a customer. Crosby also has a civil suit pending against the restaurant chain and the employee.
“When trying to file a charge, we found no criminal cases,” he said. “Now he’s actually been charged, was indicted, pleaded guilty and is now waiting for sentencing.”
Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal said such cases are not prosecuted as criminal cases in Harris County.
“It would be a health code violation,” he said. “I don’t know of any criminal charges that would be filed.”
Rosenthal also said that the fact that Crosby’s case took place in New Mexico means it has no bearing on criminal law in Texas.
But Crosby said he hopes other jurisdictions pursue such charges.
“I’m definitely getting the word out that when it happens, there are criminal charges,” he said.
Courtesy of: BaytownSun