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Fired employee arrested after allegedly threatening to blow up McDonald’s

McDonald's at 1940 Lycoming Creek Road in Williamsport. SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

A recently-fired McDonald’s employee at the franchise on Lycoming Creek Road entered the business about 9:15 a.m. Friday and threatened “to blow the place up” if he did not get his money, Old Lycoming Township police alleged in an affidavit.

Azeem Burton, 22, whose last known address was of Melfa, Virginia, had already left the business when police arrived on the scene.

He was taken into custody just south of the eatery, police said.

Police said Burton came into McDonalds at 1940 Lycoming Creek Road “highly aggravated,” demanding that he be given “money he earned prior to being fired,” Patrolman Dalton Lovell said in the court document.

An employee explained to Burton that a check was already sent to his address via certified mail and that he should receive it “the next day or so,” Lovell said.

“Get my (expletive) money or I’ll come behind the counter,” Burton said, according to Lovell.

Burton took “a couple of steps around the counter before being stopped by employees and customers,” the officer said.

He was told to leave, but refused, prompting an employee to call her manager and 911, Lovell said.

Burton then threatened to “blow the place up” and said “I’m not leaving until I get my (expletive) money,” Lovell said.

Burton was given two more orders to get out, the officer said.

As he headed to an exit door, Burton said “If you don’t have my money when I get back, it won’t be pretty,” the officer said in the affidavit.

The man also threatened customers, telling them to “step outside,” Lovell alleged.

Burton was arraigned before District Judge Christian Frey about 12:20 p.m. on charges of terroristic threats, disorderly conduct, defiant trespassing and harassment. During the proceeding, he refused to answer routine questions that are asked by judges at all arraignments so he was committed to the Lycoming County Prison on no bail.

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