Two deputies were injured and five tow-truck company employees are facing charges following an altercation at a Stafford County fast-food restaurant that apparently started over an order of french fries, police said.
Deputies went to the McDonald's at 44 Stanstead Road about 6:24 p.m. Thursday in response to a reported altercation in the lobby involving 10 people. Sheriff's Maj. Shawn Kimmitz said the argument erupted after one of the suspects, 48-year-old Jamie Morris of Dyke, expressed dissatisfaction with his french fry order.
Management requested that the angry customer and other members of Ace's Towing leave the property, but they refused, Kimmitz said. The group began arguing with store staff, and another customer came to the staff's defense.
William Morris Jr., 36, of Dyke, was eventually told that he was under arrest for trespassing. Kimmitz said that Morris took off running, but was tackled by a deputy after about 20 yards and handcuffed. After he was brought to a patrol car, Kimmitz said, the "irate mob" of tow truck employees surrounded the deputy.
As the group became more angry and shouted obscenities, pepper spray was sent into the crowd. As one suspect was being detained, police said 27-year-old Jamie Ragland of Gordonsville grabbed a deputy around the neck and threw him to the ground.
Ragland was tasered and handcuffed. Meanwhile, officers from the Fredericksburg Police Department and Virginia State Police arrived to assist, and three more suspects were taken into custody. Kimmitz said a second deputy was also injured during the incident, and both deputies required treatment at a local hospital.
Ragland received the only felony charge, assault on a law-enforcement officer. William Morris Jr., Jamie Morris, William Morris Sr., 57, of Dyke, and Monica Morris, 45, of Gordonsville, were all charged with misdemeanor offenses that include obstruction of justice and trespassing. All five were released by a magistrate on personal recognizance bonds.
___
(c)2024 The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, Va.)
Visit The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, Va.) at www.fredericksburg.com/flshome
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
