Complaint Over Sandwich Size Causes Fight at Rochester Restaurant

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A complaint over the size of a sandwich served at Rochester restaurant led to a fight and charges last week. 

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Prosecutors say multiple videos show 39-year-old Vanessa Wright striking an employee with a gift-card holder, employees pushing her out the store and Wright coming back in to continue the altercation. Wright can also be heard saying she was going to “beat” one of the employees, according to the criminal complaint. 

The employee struck in the hand by the gift card holder told responding Rochester police officers that Wright told staff members that her boyfriend was going to come in and “shoot up” the restaurant. The restaurant's owner told police that staff were able to lock Wright out of the store but she came back in with her boyfriend and continued the assault when the door was opened for another customer. The owner said Wright had punched her in the face, the complaint states. 

Wright told police she had confronted a store employee about the size of her sandwich and acknowledged a physical altercation ensued. She said restaurant staff tried to lock her in the store, according to the complaint. 

Wright was arraigned in Olmsted County Court Friday on charges of felony terroristic threats, fourth-degree burglary and two counts of fifth-degree assault. Her next court appearance is Sept. 20.