Man Pulls Gun On KFC Worker After Dispute Over Chicken Meal: East Hartford PD

EAST HARTFORD, CT — Local police are looking for an angry male customer believed to have tried to rob an East Hartford KFC restaurant when his credit card failed to pay for his meal.

Thanks to the actions of a restaurant employee, the suspect failed to get away with any cash.

According to the East Hartford Police Department, the incident happened just after 8:30 p.m. when the man, who was wearing a full-face mask, went into East Hartford's KFC at 300 Burnside Ave. and tried to buy a two-piece chicken meal.

Police said the suspect attempted to pay using his phone, but the transaction declined.

That's when, police said, the suspect, described as a "heavy-set male," exchanged words with the employee and proceeded to hang out inside the establishment.

According to the EHPD, he then went outside and returned shortly after.

"Upon returning, the suspect displayed a handgun at the employee, demanding all of the money in the register," wrote the EHPD in a statement released Tuesday morning.

But, police said, the employee grabbed onto the gun and refused to give him the money.

At some point during this incident, officers were dispatched to a hold-up alarm at this location.

While police were arriving, the suspect left KFC and ran northbound on Westbrook Street, police said.

A police dog K-9 unit track was conducted, which led directly to the front door of 163 Tolland St.

"The suspect was not located," said EHPD spokesman Marc Caruso in a statement. "Thankfully, there were no reported injuries. The investigation is ongoing."