Police arrested a 22-year-old Wendy’s restaurant worker in Palm Bay after he damaged equipment because he couldn’t go home early.
Palm Bay police received a call from the manager at Wendy’s, located at 135 Palm Bay Road, about an employee causing a disturbance. Once they arrived, they observed a damaged computer and screen.
The employee, Carlos Morales, was upset because the manager wouldn’t allow him to leave early. He argued with his supervisor until he was told to clock out and leave.
But Morales didn’t leave quietly, the affidavit said. Instead, he walked into the office area, where he “began dumping liquids on computer equipment and smashing the computer screen.”
“He then threw the computer into the kitchen area, breaking it into pieces,” police said.
The manager said the computer he broke was the server that operated all the terminals in the restaurant, valued at approximately $8,000.
A review of video footage confirmed that Morales entered the office area, set his headset down, then picked up a cup of liquid and poured it onto the keyboard.
Next, Morales broke a computer screen by smashing it against a wall. Then, he grabbed the computer server, exited the office, and threw it into the kitchen.
Since Morales left work early, police made a visit to his home in Palm Bay, where he confessed to damaging the equipment at the restaurant. He told the police that he argued with his manager and explained his actions in the office and kitchen.
Morales was charged with Felony Criminal Mischief and turned over to the Brevard County Jail for processing. His bond was set at $2,000.
