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.