WAYNE, NJ – A New Jersey man was arrested for choking a female worker at Burger King who asked him to wear a face mask.
On Saturday, March 27th, 2021, at approximately 4:10 PM, Wayne Police Officers responded to the Burger King on Route 23 South following the report of a man choking a female employee of the restaurant.
Prior to the arrival of police, the suspect fled the scene on foot. While searching the surrounding area, an alert patrol officer found a male matching the suspect description seated in a driveway on Newark-Pompton Turnpike.
As the officer approached, the suspect came towards him stating “You got me.” The suspect was agitated and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.
The officer detained the suspect and the victim was brought to his location and identified him as the man who had assaulted her. The suspect was placed under arrest. The female employee, who was outweighed by the male assailant by 80 pounds, stated that the suspect entered the restaurant, approached her and wrapped both hands around her neck and began strangling her.
Video from the restaurant confirmed her description. The attack only ended when another female employee intervened and the suspect fled. The victim of the attack complained of pain, but declined transport to a hospital.
Further investigation determined that the suspect was the same man who had entered Burger King earlier the same day and argued with restaurant employees about his not wearing a mask.
He fled the restaurant prior to the arrival of police in that incident as well. The suspect, David Siversten, was charged with Aggravated Assault on a complaint warrant. He became uncooperative during processing and injured himself by intentionally slamming his head into the steel bench to which he was handcuffed. Mr. Siversten was transported to a hospital and, once medically cleared, was transported to Passaic County Jail pending a hearing.