PALMETTO BAY, Fla. — A 53-year-old woman is behind bars after authorities said she attacked a McDonald’s employee during a dispute over a food order that occurred late last year.
Deputies with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said the suspect, Andrea Houston, was arrested Monday.
According to investigators, the incident occurred on Dec. 27 at McDonald’s, located at 18295 S. Dixie Highway, in the county’s Palmetto Bay area.
Authorities said Houston became upset while at the drive-thru window, believing items were missing from her order. However, the employee told her the order was complete and that she would have to pay for any additional items.
They said the situation escalated when Houston grabbed a piece of wood from inside her vehicle, began yelling at the employee, and threatened to hit him.
Investigators said she then “tapped the victim in the face” with the piece of wood through the drive-thru window before fleeing.
They said the area where the employee was working is not open to the public and is designated for employees only.
A witness recorded the incident and provided the vehicle’s license plate, which investigators later determined was registered to Houston. The victim later identified her in a photographic lineup, deputies said.
They said Houston has prior convictions, including felony battery and battery on a law enforcement officer, firefighter or corrections officer.
Houston’s arrest report states that she was taken into custody Monday after deputies conducted a traffic stop along South Dixie Highway.
During the arrest, deputies said she resisted by tensing her arms and moving her body, making it difficult to detain her.
After being taken into custody, Houston told deputies she is “always under the influence of narcotics” due to medications she takes, according to the report.
Jail records show Houston is facing one count each of burglary with assault or battery and resisting an officer without violence to his person.
As of Tuesday afternoon, she was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where her bond was set at $8,000.
She was also placed on house arrest and ordered to stay away from the victim and the McDonald’s where the incident took place.
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