A McDonald’s employee in West Virginia allegedly followed a customer into one of the restaurant’s bathrooms, where he stabbed and robbed him, police say.
Richard Thornton, 31, attacked a customer with a knife while in the bathroom and then took the customer’s wallet, according to a Tuesday press release from the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office. Police reportedly found Thornton with the victim’s wallet and a fixed blade knife covered in blood.
“Once inside the restroom, Thornton robbed the 56-year-old victim of his wallet, cut him multiple times in the face with the knife, and stabbed him in the neck,” according to the press release. “Mr. Thornton then walked out of the restroom leaving the victim behind who was found by other patrons.”
The victim allegedly suffered “serious facial injuries and stab wounds to the neck.”
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Police charged Thornton with one felony count of first-degree robbery with a deadly weapon and one felony count of malicious wounding, according to the press release. (RELATED: Vermont McDonald’s Evacuated After Employee With Handgun Throws Live Ammo On Grill, Police Say)
John Ebert owns and operates the McDonald’s restaurant where the attack occurred, according to WSAZ.
“The safety and well-being of our customers and employees is always a top priority for my organization. We have no tolerance for violence of any kind and we’re appalled by the situation that took place at our restaurant,” Ebert said in a statement cited by the outlet.
“We took swift action and I can confirm this individual is no longer employed by my organization. We are fully cooperating with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office in their investigation,” Ebert added, according to WSAZ.