By Chris Echegaray
The Tampa Tribune
CLEARWATER, Fla. — The 75-year-old grandmother who was arrested on Thursday for disorderly conduct at a McDonald’s gave an officer lip with her fries, according to a police report.
Jean Merola swore at the officer and said, “You are an evil man. Your wife is going to divorce you. Your kids probably hate you, too. You are going to hell,” according to the report.
Merola had ordered french fries without salt from her silver Lincoln Town Car at the McDonald’s at 1934 N. Hercules Ave. She was asked by McDonald’s staff to move forward and told that her food would be brought to her.
Officer Matthew Parco was behind Merola in line and had received his drink; he asked her to move up so he could get around her but she didn’t respond. Parco went to talk to her when Merola yelled at him, according to the report.
Parco spent about 20 minutes asking Merola to move the car before she was arrested. Merola kept asking for the police chief and making a scene at the drive-through, according to the report.
In a separate statement to another officer, the McDonald’s manager gave an account similar to Parco’s, police reports show.
Merola has denied blocking any vehicles and made no apologies, saying a curb prevented her from moving. She has said the Clearwater mayor called to apologize.
Copyright 2008 The Tampa Tribune