Employees at a northern California McDonald's restaurant at being praised for their quick-thinking actions that led to the rescue of a woman from her violent captor.
Per Fox News, the victim entered the Flag City restaurant on Christmas Eve, along with Eduardo Valenzuela.
The woman was quickly able to ask an employee to call 911 and provided the license plate number for the car she was riding in. She then asked the staff to hide her. However, after using the restroom, Valenzuela insisted that they leave the restaurant and use the drive-thru instead.
In another incredible story from 2019, a woman saved her mom from her abusive partner by dialing 911 after saying she was ordering a pizza:Fortunately, the concerned staff had taken her requests seriously and already dialed 911 for help.
Minutes later, the pair drove up to the drive-thru window, and the woman - who was driving - reportedly mouthed the words 'Help me' to the drive-thru cashier.
Posting on their official Facebook page, the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office said:
"We are lovin' it! McDonald's providing a "SAFE PLACE" for abuse and human trafficking victims aids woman to be rescued.
"A victim is safe thanks to the McDonald's crew at the Flag City location in Lodi. On 12/24/19, shortly after 2 P.M. a woman went into the McDonald's restaurant and told an employee at the counter to call 9-1-1. She also gave the employee the license plate of the vehicle that she was traveling in and asked them to hide her. After the woman used the restroom she attempted to place an order at the counter, but the suspect, Eduardo Valenzuela was nearby and demanded she use the drive- thru.
"While in the drive thru, she mouthed to an employee, "HELP ME." Just then, deputies arrived and spoke with employees inside the restaurant, they rushed them out the door telling them that the woman needing help was in the drive-thru line. The woman was driving her vehicle, with Mr. Valenzuela in the passenger seat when deputies ordered her to pull over.
"During the investigation, deputies comforted the shaken woman and discovered that Valenzuela had been violent with her in the past. On this day he told her to take him to visit his family and threatened her life, stating he would use a firearm. A firearm was located in the trunk of the vehicle (stolen out of state).
"Eduardo Valenzuela was booked in the San Joaquin County Jail for criminal threats, stolen property, and felon(prohibited person) in possession of a firearm. [sic]"
Moments after pulling into the drive-thru, officers from the San Joaquin County sheriff's office had already arrived from the 911 call.
Authorities say Eduardo Valenzuela arrested and later charged with making threats, possessing stolen property, and felon in possession of a firearm.
Police added that Valenzuela had allegedly been violent to the woman in the past.
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