Crime & Safety

Motorcyclist Enters Wendy's, Pepper-Sprays People, Stabs Man in Chest

The incident started shortly after 2:20 p.m. Nov. 21 when a man identified as Christopher Madura, 33, drove his motorcycle to the Wendy's at Base Line and Boulder, just east of the 210 Freeway, deputies said.

A motorcyclist walked into a Wendy's in Highland on Wednesday, acting strangely and talking about being poisoned, before he pepper-sprayed people at the counter and stabbed an elderly man in the chest, deputies said.

The man was arrested by responding deputies but the stabbing victim was in critical condition at Loma Linda University Medical Center, according to the Sheriff's Department.

The incident started shortly after 2:20 p.m. Nov. 21 when a man identified as Christopher Madura, 33, drove his motorcycle to the Wendy's at Base Line and Boulder, just east of the 210 Freeway, deputies said.

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"He parked and walked into the restaurant and confronted the employees working at the front counter," deputies said in a statement. "He was acting bizarrely and ranting about being poisoned."

Madura allegedly pulled out a can of pepper spray and started spraying everyone at the counter, deputies said.

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"He ran into the dining area and sprayed the elderly victim and his wife who were eating at a table," deputies said. "The restaurant employees started throwing utensils and objects at Madura to distract him."

Madura then allegedly pulled a knife and stabbed the elderly man in the side of his chest, deputies said.

"One of the male employees yelled to the suspect that he was not going to hurt any of his friends and threw a truck/dolly at the suspect, who then ran out the door," deputies said.

Outside the Wendy's, the suspect confronted another victim and a store manager. Responding deputies took Madura into custody after a brief struggle.

"Neither of the victims outside the store where physically injured," deputies said.

The stabbing victim was transported to the hospital in Loma Linda where he was listed in critical condition.

Further information about the people inside the Wendy's who were pepper-sprayed was not immediately available.

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