Man calls McDonald's toys 'racist,' arrested for threats

A Des Moines man who allegedly called McDonald's racist was arrested after threatening restaurant employees, according to a police report.

Lance Jordan Williams, 34, of Des Moines was arrested Tuesday on assault and disorderly conduct charges after the store manager called police fearing employees would be physically assaulted.

Police arrived at the McDonald's in the 1300 block of East Euclid Avenue about 1:15 p.m. and found Williams, who had originally entered the store to buy a water.

The manager said a person with Williams had bought a sandwich then returned it, claiming someone else had taken a bite out of it. Williams reportedly became "verbally abusive and loud" toward restaurant staff, wanting to stand up for the "perceived injustice" of his friend, the report stated.

The manager gave them their money back, hoping the two would leave, but that reportedly didn't quell Williams. He said McDonald's "was a racist restaurant because the Happy Meal toys did not have dark skin." He reportedly called the manager "white trash" and called another person in the store "Sanchez" and "Mexican."

The manager called 911 several times during the incident because, she told police, Williams made several threats to jump over the restaurant counter at the two people taking refuge there.

Williams again turned to the person he called "Mexican" and said, "I am going to show you what Mayweather is going to do to Pacquiao," citing an upcoming professional boxing match. That person told police he feared Williams would hit him.

When officers arrived, Williams was hostile toward officers, who advised him that he was pursuing his civil issue with the restaurant in the wrong way. But Williams reportedly refused to listen and continued to yell at officers and victims.

Williams used his cellphone to capture video as he argued with McDonald's staff.

He was placed into custody and transported to the Polk County Jail, but released within 24 hours.