KENNEWICK, Wash. – A man was arrested at Burger King by the Kennewick Police Department after an incident involving jumping on cars and trapping an employee in a freezer.
KPD responded to a phone call from the trapped employee on Tuesday, where they said a man was reportedly jumping on cars and attempting to enter vehicles.
The man, identified as Stephen Zimmerle, escalated the situation by smashing a window at the Burger King located at 2703 S Quillan St. He then entered the building and ran through the kitchen into a walk-in refrigerator.
According to dispatch, the employee called for help, saying they were locked inside a freezer due to Zimmerle’s actions.
Officers found Zimmerle dismantling a fan unit above the freezer door. Despite commands, Zimmerle did not comply, resulting in a Taser deployment.
Officers successfully took Zimmerle into custody and assisted the employee out of the freezer.
Zimmerle was booked into Benton County Jail facing multiple charges, including commercial burglary, felony harassment, unlawful imprisonment, and assault in the third degree.
