Come on. How stupid can you be?
Strip-search hoax plagues fast-food outlets
Caller poses as police, falsely warns managers of thief on premises
By Mitch Stacy, Associated Press, 4/10/2004
The caller to the Phoenix-area Taco Bell said he was a police officer and informed the manager there was a thief on the premises. Someone's pocketbook was missing, the caller said, ordering that a female customer be detained and strip-searched in a back office.
But there was no theft. Investigators believe the caller was an impersonator, possibly from north Florida, who has pulled the same stunt dozens of times nationwide since 1999 with alarming success.
The caller, who sometimes poses as a company official, has persuaded managers at restaurants and other stores to detain and search employees for drugs or money. Targets have included Taco Bell, McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, Ruby Tuesday, Applebee's, Perkins, and others.
On Feb. 20, a male caller convinced managers at four Wendy's restaurants in Massachusetts to strip-search employees.
The caller's motive is unknown. Because his targets are mostly restaurants, one theory is that he is a disgruntled former fast-food worker. Some investigators believe he may be a sexual deviant who enjoys exercising power over people.
The searches have included male and female victims. Some businesses have been sued, and some managers have faced criminal charges.
