CORONA, Calif. (AP) – Darlene Keller asked for some vegetables at a Sizzler restaurant over the weekend. What she received were eggs, maple syrup and instant mashed potato flakes – on her house.
Police arrested a restaurant employee and two of his friends after the Keller’s home was vandalized Saturday. The three suspects were booked for investigation of misdemeanor vandalism. All three were released on their own recognizance pending a court appearance.
Police believe Jonathan Voeltner, 20, and two minors went to the Kellers home where they crushed eggs on a mailbox and the house, poured maple syrup over the hedges and unrolled toilet paper onto a pine tree. Police said the trio then rang the doorbell six times and hid to watch the family’s reaction.
Within minutes, the police were called and arrested Voeltner and the two juveniles who were still at the house.
“They probably weren’t thinking,” Samano said of their decision to wait around and watch.
The problem began when Keller and her family went to the restaurant Friday in nearby Norco where she asked for broccoli and cauliflower. She was told by Voeltner that Sizzler didn’t have any vegetables. She either could have a baked potato or French fries, Keller said she was told.
Darlene’s husband, Wayne, insisted that the waiter bring his wife vegetables. She is avoiding carbohydrates for dietary reasons, he said, and the restaurant has a salad bar with broccoli and cauliflower.
Voeltner left and returned with a salad.
“He practically threw the tiny plate (of salad) on the table; it even bounced,” Wayne Keller said Monday. “Then he told my wife to go get her own salad dressing.”
The family called for the manager, who apologized for the waiter’s behavior and got Darlene Keller her broccoli and cauliflower. Nothing else went wrong, the Kellers said.
“This type of behavior is not tolerated at Sizzler,” said Susan Hernandez, spokeswoman for the restaurant chain. “We pride ourselves on good service.”
Voeltner was suspended without pay, pending a Sizzler investigation, Hernandez said.
The Kellers said they still can’t fathom why they were treated that way for a simple request.
“I still don’t understand,” Wayne Keller said. “All my wife wanted was vegetables.”