A Chester woman was arrested after allegedly displaying a handgun and threatening employees during an argument over a food order at a Taco Bell in Chester, according to the Queen Anne’s County Office of the Sheriff.
Deputies responded to the restaurant on June 18 for a report of a woman displaying a firearm during a verbal altercation with staff. When they arrived, deputies detained two individuals, including 30-year-old Ashley Andrews of Chester, who matched the description of the suspect.
According to investigators, employees told deputies that Andrews became upset over the wait time for her food and argued with staff members. During the confrontation, she allegedly challenged employees to meet her outside in the parking lot, lifted her shirt to reveal a handgun, and used threatening language toward them.
Deputies recovered a loaded firearm from Andrews and spoke with employees who identified her as the individual involved in the incident.
Authorities reviewed both restaurant surveillance footage and video recorded on an employee’s cellphone. According to the sheriff’s office, the footage showed Andrews lifting her shirt to display the handgun and placing her hand on the firearm’s grip while arguing with staff.
Andrews was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, handgun on person, disorderly conduct/disturbing the peace, and reckless endangerment. She was also issued a trespass notice barring her from the Taco Bell.
As with all criminal charges, Andrews is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
