LODI, Calif (AP) - Workers at a McDonald’s in California helped rescue a woman who mouthed the words “help me” as she pulled up to the drive-thru window, authorities said.
The woman initially entered the restaurant on Christmas Eve asking employees to call 911 and urging them to hide her from a reportedly violent man, the Modesto Bee reported.
The woman then returned to the counter to place an order after using the bathroom but was stopped by the suspect, San Joaquin County deputies said.
The man allegedly demanded she return to the car and use the drive-thru where she silently signaled for help at the window, authorities said. Deputies responded to the call and pulled the car over at the restaurant in Lodi about 36 miles (58 kilometers) south of Sacramento, authorities said.
The woman accused the man of threatening to shoot her unless she drove him to see his family, authorities said.
The man was arrested for criminal threats, stolen property and felon in possession of a firearm, deputies said.
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