Someone in Portsmouth apparently took the phrase “I need my Egg McMuffin” a little too seriously.
Around 8:45 a.m., Portsmouth police were dispatched to the McDonald’s on Gallia Street after a man sitting in the drive-thru called 911 claiming employees were refusing to give him his food.
By the time officers arrived, the black vehicle had already pulled away heading east on Gallia.
Police searched toward Harrisonville Avenue but couldn’t immediately locate the vehicle before circling back to the restaurant.
That’s when officers got the full story from the manager.
According to McDonald’s staff, the problem wasn’t a robbery, assault, or emergency.
It was the mobile app.
The manager told police the man became upset because the app was malfunctioning and wouldn’t properly process the order so he could receive his breakfast.
Eventually, the technology issue was fixed—and yes, he got his food.
Police noted the man allegedly acted “like a child/ignorant” during the ordeal.
Managers were advised they could contact police again if they wanted the man formally trespassed should he return and cause more problems.
🍔 A QUICK REMINDER: 911 IS FOR EMERGENCIES
Police regularly remind the public that 911 should be reserved for:
- Crimes in progress
- Medical emergencies
- Fires
- Dangerous situations
Not fast-food order disputes.
📱 WHEN APPS ATTACK
To be fair, modern fast-food apps can test anyone’s patience:
- Orders disappear
- Coupons fail
- Payments glitch
- Rewards don’t load
But officers would probably prefer those problems get handled at the counter—not through emergency dispatch.
At least in the end, nobody got hurt.
And the Egg McMuffin crisis was resolved peacefully.