A 27-year-old man was arrested early Tuesday morning for intimidating a Taco Bell clerk.
Bloomington Police Department Capt. Ryan Pedigo said James Early entered the Taco Bell located at 309 N. Walnut Street and attempted to order a burrito that he could not pay for.
When the clerk wouldn't sell him the burrito, Early became upset and began to insult the clerk, calling him a racial slur and “dickless,” Pedigo said. The clerk told police Early threatened to lean across the counter and hit him as well as hurt him with a Glock handgun. Pedigo said Early did not actually have a gun.
The clerk told police Early’s threats made him feel unsafe and fear for his life. Early acquired a quarter from an unknown source to pay for the burrito but was asked to leave the restaurant.
Pedigo said officers approached Early at approximately 12:42 a.m. on the corner of Sixth and Walnut streets. He admitted to calling the clerk a racial slur and recalled telling the clerk he was lucky Early was not the type of guy to reach over the counter to hit him.
Early was charged with intimidation.
