Police in Wayne say a man has been arrested and charged after a female Burger King employee says he tried to strangle her.

Police responded back on March 27 around 4:10 p.m. to the Burger King on Route 23 South for a report of a man choking an employee of the restaurant.

According to the employee, the man, identified as David Siversten, entered the restaurant, approached her, wrapped both hands around her neck and began strangling her. Video from the restaurant confirmed her description.

Police say the attack ended when another female employee intervened. The victim of the attack complained of pain, but declined transport to a hospital. Silversten fled the scene on foot, but was arrested a short time later. The suspect was agitated and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.            

Police say Silversten was in that same Burger King earlier in the day arguing with an employee about his not wearing a mask. He fled the restaurant prior to the arrival of police in that incident as well.

Siversten was charged with aggravated assault on a complaint warrant. He became uncooperative during processing and injured himself by intentionally slamming his head into the steel bench to which he was handcuffed. He was transported to a hospital and, once medically cleared, was transported to Passaic County Jail pending a hearing.