Colorado Man Arrested After Attempting to Pay for Wendy’s Drive-Thru Meal with Cocaine

A Wendy’s in Castle Pines, Colorado

A Wendy’s customer in Castle Pines, Colorado, was arrested after allegedly attempting to pay for his drive-thru order with cocaine, authorities confirmed.

According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the man approached the drive-thru window late on July 10 and offered drugs to the fast food worker in exchange for his meal. Deputies said he displayed “foil with a white powdery substance resembling cocaine” and even suggested he would wait inside the restaurant if the employee changed their mind.

Body camera footage from July 10 just before 10 p.m. shows police handcuffing the man

The worker refused the offer and contacted authorities. When deputies arrived, they located the suspect’s vehicle and observed, in plain view, a cell phone on the seat with a line of white powder across its screen. A photo released by investigators showed the phone dusted with the suspected substance, alongside eyeglasses, a water bottle, and other items.

A further search revealed small baggies commonly used for distribution, a digital scale, and several mini alcohol bottles. Deputies also noted the man was in violation of an active protection order.

Body camera footage shows the man being led to the police squad car

Body camera footage captured the arrest just before 10 p.m., showing the suspect being handcuffed without incident. The man, whose name has not been released, now faces multiple charges, including unlawful distribution, manufacturing, dispensing, or possession of controlled substances, violation of a protection order, and unlawful possession of narcotics.

Authorities emphasized that fast food transactions are meant for meals, not drugs, as they announced the charges.

Deputies said they looked in his vehicle and saw a white substance “lined out” on a phone “in plain view.”