An 18-year-old Milwaukee fast-food worker says a customer pepper-sprayed her through the drive-thru window at a Rocky Rococo on South Howell Avenue last Wednesday, leaving her eyes burning and badly shaken. She says she bolted to the back of the restaurant, called police, received medical treatment, then tried to return to work the next day. After that, she turned in her key and quit, saying she just could not keep doing the job.
Employee's account
According to FOX6 News Milwaukee, the worker, identified as 18-year-old Vaida Fedikovich, said a customer in the drive-thru line grew irritated while waiting and kept trying to get her attention. Fedikovich told the station she briefly closed the window to grab a clipboard and, when she slid it open again, the customer sprayed her in the face and used an offensive slur.
What the video shows
Speaking with FOX6, Fedikovich said, "It felt like cayenne pepper to the eyes and somebody just rubbed it all in and my face was just burning." She said she retreated to the back of the restaurant to shield her face and call police. According to her account, officers searched the surrounding area for the vehicle but did not find the suspect. A police report has been filed and, as of the station's reporting, no one had been identified or charged.
Where it happened
The Rocky Rococo in question is on South Howell Avenue, with business listings placing that restaurant at 4849 S Howell Ave. Business listings, including DoorDash, place the pizzeria near the Layton and Howell corridor by Mitchell Airport.
Aftermath
Fedikovich says she hopes that by talking publicly about what happened, someone will recognize the customer and help police identify the person responsible. She also said no one should have to deal with violence while simply trying to do their job, and that the incident left her too rattled to keep working at the restaurant, which is why she turned in her key and left the position.
