PITTSBURGH -- Police arrested a drug suspect at an Arlington Avenue gas station on Wednesday, just one of the places officers said he had been dealing drugs.
Detectives said the suspect even made drug deals through a McDonald's drive-through window on Brownsville Road in the middle of his work shift.
"It doesn't surprise me. The economy is screwed up. Everybody got to eat somehow," said Stephon Dillard, of Carrick, adding that he still doesn't think it makes sense to sell drugs.
Pittsburgh police said officers confiscated drugs, cash and a gun from the Arlington Avenue home of Arnold J. Simpson, 30, who worked at a McDonald's restaurant in the 600 block of Brownsville Road in Mount Oliver.
Investigators said Simpson had been under surveillance for a while and that he sold drugs to several undercover detectives in several locations.
Simpson was arrested Wednesday at a Sunoco gas station in the 1600 block of Arlington Avenue, where police said he allegedly delivered drugs to undercover narcotics detectives.
Simpson was taken to the Allegheny County Jail on charges that include possession and delivery of drugs and illegal possession of a firearm.
In February, a worker was arrested for allegedly dealing drugs at the Smithfield Street McDonald's in downtown Pittsburgh, prompting District Attorney Stephen Zappala to threaten legal action in March against three McDonald's restaurants downtown if the company didn't work to stop the illegal activity.
City police Cmdr. Cheryl Doubt said the downtown incidents are not linked to Simpson's case.
McDonald's Statement
Operating safe restaurants is a top priority.
We take these matters seriously. We have a zero tolerance policy for this type of behavior in our restaurants.
We require employees be in full compliance with local, state and federal laws, as well as adhere to our own stringent employment practices.
We are fully cooperating with the authorities on this matter. Beyond that, it would be inappropriate to further comment or speculate, or discuss the personnel matters of the individual in question.
Because this is a police matter, further inquiries should be directed to the police department.
- James Rice, McDonald's Franchisee
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