A regular customer at a McDonald’s in Miami Springs, 64-year-old Elizar Ravelo, was arrested after allegedly slapping hot coffee out of a manager’s hand during a pricing dispute. The incident, which occurred in the drive-thru lane on August 25th, resulted in burns to the manager’s chest and arm. Ravelo was taken into custody by Miami Springs police on Monday, according to reports from Local 10 News.
Video footage released by authorities reveals Ravelo engaging in a heated argument with the drive-thru attendant over the price of his order. The dispute quickly escalated when the manager stepped in to defend the employee. As per a statement from police and the City of Miami Springs, the manager reprimanded Ravelo for his behavior and warned him of potential consequences if he continued to mistreat the employees.
During the altercation, Ravelo threatened to throw hot coffee on the manager. However, his actions went beyond mere threats as he reached out and slapped the cup out of her hand, causing the scalding coffee to splash onto her chest and arm. The manager, whose identity remains undisclosed, was left with painful burns as a result of Ravelo’s actions. The incident was captured on camera and has since gone viral, sparking outrage and prompting swift action from authorities.
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Following his arrest, Ravelo confessed to officers that he was dissatisfied with the service he received. According to a statement from the Miami Springs police and the City of Miami Springs, the dispute seemed to revolve around a single cent. Shift manager Nayib Garcia, who is familiar with Ravelo as a regular customer, confirmed that his order usually includes a Sausage McMuffin with a round egg and a senior coffee, as per reports from Local 10.
The incident highlights the dangerous consequences of customer service disputes that escalate into physical altercations. Garcia, who also witnessed the argument, described the incident as a senseless act of violence over something as insignificant as a penny. “What the rest of the crew told me, it was over a penny,” Garcia said.
Ravelo’s actions were met with swift condemnation and he has been charged with felony battery. He is currently being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $5,000 bond, according to Local 10. The city’s response to the incident also emphasizes the seriousness of Ravelo’s actions and the need to address and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
CAUGHT ON CAMERA: A customer at a fast food restaurant in Miami Springs was arrested after, police said, he swatted a cup of coffee out of a worker's hands, causing burn marks.https://t.co/o5h2mWddYq pic.twitter.com/AoUZ8BKmRS
— WSVN 7 News (@wsvn) October 3, 2023
The incident serves as a reminder to treat service workers with respect and dignity. No one deserves to be mistreated or subjected to violent outbursts over small disputes. As customers, it is important to maintain composure and handle disagreements calmly and respectfully. Let Ravelo’s actions be a lesson for all of us to practice empathy and compassion towards those in the service industry. As for Ravelo, he will face the consequences of his actions and hopefully learn from this experience.
There is no “why” excuse for what was done.