Wendy's worker punches drive-thru customer through car window — then steals car, hits victim with car, bites 2 cops: Police



Police said a St. Louis-area Wendy's employee physically attacked a drive-thru customer after an argument earlier this week, KPLR-TV reported — but that ain't the half of what the suspect is accused of.

In short, the worker allegedly punched the customer through his driver-side window, stole the victim's car, returned to the scene and hit the victim with the car, and bit two cops.

Then there was the whole hammer thing.

What are the details?

Police in Overland — which is about 20 minutes northwest of St. Louis — headed to the restaurant in the 8900 block of Page Avenue after a report of a fight in progress Monday, KPLR-TV reported.

The victim told officers that he got into an argument with the employee while in the drive-thru lane, the station said.

The victim said the employee — later identified as 27-year-old Leon S. Johnson — exited the restaurant and began punching him through his open car window, KMOV-TV reported.

The victim told police he grabbed a hammer from his car and began swinging it at Johnson to get him to back off, KPLR said, adding that the victim soon exited his car with the hammer — but then Johnson got in the victim’s car and drove off.

KSDK-TV reported, citing court documents, that Johnson soon returned to the restaurant and hit the customer with the car, knocking the hammer out of the customer's hand. Johnson then got out of the car, picked up the hammer, and began to hit the car's front windshield, KSDK added. The KPLR report indicates Johnson hit the victim with the hammer.

The customer suffered a "laceration on his lip and multiple contusions to his face," police told KSDK, which added that officers said Johnson admitted to taking the victim’s car and hitting him with it. Police also said Johnson bit two officers who tried to arrest him, KSDK added. Jail records indicate the arrest took place just after 9 p.m.

It's unclear what the victim and Johnson were arguing about, KSDK added.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Johnson with first-degree assault, first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, third-degree assault, second-degree property damage, resisting arrest for a felony, and two counts of fourth-degree assault, KSDK said, adding that all the charges are felonies.

Johnson was jailed on a $500,000 cash-only bond, KSDK noted. He remained in jail as of Friday morning.

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Seattle DoorDash driver tries to thwart car theft by clinging to hood for several blocks and grabbing steering wheel to cause a crash: Report



A DoorDash driver in Seattle recently attempted to stop a thief from stealing his vehicle by hopping on the hood of his car as the thief sped away, KIRO-TV reported.

What are the details?

The food delivery driver reportedly remained on top of the vehicle for several blocks until he was eventually able to reach inside and grab the steering wheel. With the steering wheel in his grasp, he jerked in one direction and caused the car to crash.

At that point, the DoorDash driver, who was not identified in the report, rolled off the hood of the vehicle presumably to approach the thief. But the suspect drove away before he had the chance.

After the thief sped away, the delivery driver reportedly ran about a mile to the West Precinct to report his vehicle was stolen.

The incident took place in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle on Jan. 20 at around 11:30 p.m., according to Seattle police.

The department recorded that officers first responded to the scene after reports came in of a vehicle speeding down the street with a man clinging to the windshield and screaming for the driver to pull over. Witnesses reportedly confirmed the reports to officers who arrived on the scene.

Officers conducted an extensive search of the area and determined the general direction that the vehicle was traveling, but were unable to locate the vehicle.

During discussions with police at West Precinct, the delivery driver recounted that he had just finished a delivery and had stepped outside of his car to stretch his legs when the theft occurred.

He said his vehicle was still running when he saw someone jump behind the wheel and begin driving away.

Neither KIRO nor the Seattle police have provided an update on the case. TheBlaze attempted to contact the Seattle Police Department but was unable to receive a response before publication.

What else?

Seattle police continue to struggle against soaring crime in the city. Vehicle theft, specifically, has remained a major problem for the Northwest city. Seattle ranks inside the top 20 worst cities for vehicle theft, according to FBI data.

On the city's website, officials recommend that residents refrain from leaving their car unlocked and from leaving their windows down, leaving keys in the car, and fromparking in poorly lit places with low visibility.

Group calling themselves 'the Sopranos' busted for alleged massive theft ring started to support their drug addictions. One even has 'styles Soprano' tattooed on his forehead.



A group of 11 men and women ages 21 to 42 in Denver have been arrested and accused of enterprising to commit dozens of thefts and other crimes for the purpose of supporting their drug addictions.

The alleged organized crime ring, which allegedly livestreamed some of their crimes on Facebook, identify themselves as "the Sopranos." One of the members even has the phrase "styles Soprano" tattooed on his forehead.

In a news release issued Friday, the office of Denver District Attorney Beth McCann announced that the group had been charged on a whopping 91 counts for a litany of crimes, including aggravated motor vehicle theft, identity theft, illegal possession of a weapon, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

The attorney's office added that they are "accused of stealing more than $950,000 in motor vehicles, firearms, tools, financial transaction devices, and other items to maintain their lifestyles and support their drug habits," which included addictions to fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamines.

According to prosecutors, the group would routinely conduct reconnaissance to identify potential vehicle targets and then would work in teams of two to steal the vehicle. One member would "break the driver's side door lock, then break the ignition lock and start the vehicle using a screwdriver" while "the other team member acted as look-out and get-away driver."

They also stole credit cards from vehicles to quickly purchase "gift cards, tools, and other property" before the cards were canceled by the owner, authorities said.

The group also allegedly used Facebook and other social media platforms to coordinate criminal activity, elude capture by police, arrange for the sale of allegedly stolen goods, and even brag about their criminal prowess. Sometimes members would even livestream their crimes on Facebook where other members would then offer real-time encouragement.

But it was their cocky use of Facebook that, in part, led to their downfall. According to KCNC-TV, investigators used the Facebook conversations as well as DNA evidence to identify and track the suspects.

Those arrested are listed as follows: Timothy James Boles, 27; Daniel Holman, 42; Richardlee Martin Oritz, 28; Lanea Dawn Rodriquez, 23; Guillermo Jesus Hernandez, 21; Danea Lynn Holman, 39; Daysha Ann Holman, 22; Elisha Monique Marquez, 30; Rachel Christine Montour, 22; Sierra Sandoval, 22; and Ariel Sosa, 21.