PA Man Charged with Assault at Local Burger King

Andrea Puksta
January 29, 2007
COM365



PA Man Charged With Assault at Local Burger King

Wilmington, Delaware – David Fowler, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania was arrested June 30th after an implication arose between himself and several employees at the Burger King restaurant located in the 3100 block of Kirkwood Highway near Route 7.

The implication began on the evening of June 30th, when Fowler, 23, became irate when he thought the drive-through cashier charged him too much for his meal and for the cashier’s failure to give him the complimentary toy from the movie “Chicken Run.” The cashier explained to Fowler that the he could not give him the toy, since it was only to be given to children. Fowler, a father of two, did not have his children with him at the time.

With disregard to the cashier’s explanation, Fowler parked his car and went into the restaurant yelling at the employees that he wanted his toy. When Fowler’s demands were not met, his rage ensued as he punched two male employees and threw a third over the front counter. The frenzied Fowler also broke a store shelf and nearly struck a small child. As the violence escalated, the crowds of children and their parents dining inside the restaurant escaped the scene unharmed.

Fowler has been charged with three counts of assault, malicious destruction of property and disorderly conduct. Fowler is currently being held at the New Castle County Detention Center after he failed to post bail following his June 30 arraignment.

“All this for a toy? Have we become so obsessed with collecting things that we’ve forgotten how to act? Society shouldn’t tolerate this kind of behavior” says Assistant DA, Colleen McGinnis.

“He wanted the toy for his young daughter. He became enraged when he realized he wouldn’t be able to get it for her. I’m not excusing what he did, but how would you feel if you were in his position?” Said Fowler’s attorney, Brian Bauer, of the county public defenders office.

Attorneys on both sides are working on a plea bargain in which Fowler would plead guilty to two counts of assault, agree to pay for the restaurant damages and perform community service for his disorderly conduct. No agreements have been made as the negotiations are ongoing. Fowler has no criminal record.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 18th at 10 a.m. before Judge Jane Dorton.