A Long Island man found himself in hot water after allegedly brandishing a gun at an employee of a taco eatery due to a misunderstanding over his order. Kevin Warren, 62, was arrested on Monday and charged with menacing following the incident at Tony’s Tacos in Franklin Square. The altercation occurred at 8:50 p.m. on a Friday evening, according to Nassau police.
Surveillance footage obtained by News 12 Long Island captured the unsettling confrontation. The video shows the man attempting to grab a bag of food from the employee’s hand before lifting his shirt to reveal a gun tucked into his waistband. The employee understandably took a step back in response to the threatening gesture.
Julia Scotto, co-owner of Tony’s Tacos along with her husband Mike Scotto, provided some insight into the events leading up to the incident. She explained that the trouble began with a bad phone connection when the 21-year-old employee had difficulty understanding the man’s order due to his voice breaking up. This led to the man coming into the restaurant and confronting the employee directly.
“He came in, he sought out the girl who took the phone order, and grabbed her hand and showed her that he was carrying a gun on his waist,” Scotto recounted. The employee was understandably shaken by the encounter but is said to be feeling better now that the suspect has been apprehended.
The arrest of Kevin Warren serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining composure and resolving conflicts peacefully. Acts of aggression and violence have no place in any establishment, and it is essential to handle misunderstandings with patience and understanding. Tony’s Tacos remains committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all customers and employees.
