Man doesn't this always happen in these strange item found in food cases. I remember when someone found a syringe in ther Coke or Pepsi, then suddenly within a week people were finding syringes, razors, nuts and bolts, and kitchen sinks. Turns out the authorities find out that the lady was diabetic and traced the syringe back to her. After that the instances of people finding crap in their soda dropped to zero.
Updated: 12:54 p.m. ET April 22, 2005LAS VEGAS - The woman who claimed she found a finger in her bowl of Wendys chili last month has been arrested, the latest twist in a bizarre case about how the 1 1/2-inch finger tip ended up in a bowl of fast food.
Anna Ayala was taken into custody late Thursday at her Las Vegas home. She was arrested on a warrant alleging grand larceny and attempted grand larceny, Las Vegas Police Sgt. Chris Jones said.
Authorities said would not provide further details until a news conference Friday afternoon in San Jose, Calif. the city where Ayala claimed she bit down on the finger in a mouthful of her steamy stew.
Ayalas 18-year-old son, Guadalupe Reyes, said he had gone to the store around 9 p.m. when he got a phone call from a friend who was back at the Las Vegas home.
We rushed back and she was already gone, Reyes said.
Reyes said he had no other details and was waiting to hear from his mother. A handwritten sign on the door of her home Friday morning instructed reporters not to knock, and telephone messages were not returned.
Ayala, 39, was held overnight at the Clark County jail in Las Vegas, where records showed she was being held without bail.
In Ohio, Wendys officials praised the polices actions. Were thrilled that an arrest has been made, Tom Mueller, president and chief operating officer of Wendys North America, said in a statement.
Mysterious case
Ayalas claim that she found the fingertip, complete with a well-manicured nail, on March 22 initially drew sympathy. But when police and health officials failed to find any missing digits among the workers involved in the restaurants supply chain, suspicion fell on Ayala, and her story has become a late-night punch line.
Ayala hired a lawyer and filed a claim against the Wendys franchise owner, Fresno-based JEM Management. But after police searched her home in Las Vegas and continued to question her family, she dropped the lawsuit threat, saying the whole situation was just too stressful.
As it turns out, Ayala has a litigious history. She has filed claims against several corporations, including a former employer and General Motors, though it is unclear from court records whether she received any money. She said she got $30,000 from El Pollo Loco after her 13-year-old daughter got sick at one of the chains Las Vegas-area restaurants. But El Pollo Loco spokeswoman Julie Weeks said last week that the company reviewed Ayalas February 2004 claim and paid her nothing.
Wendy's doesn't find a link
Earlier Thursday, Wendys International Inc. announced it had ended its internal investigation, saying it could find no credible link between the finger and the restaurant chain.
Sales have dropped at franchises in Northern California, forcing layoffs and reduced hours, the company said. Wendys also has hired private investigators, set up a hot line for tips and offered a $100,000 reward for anyone who provides information leading to the fingers original owner.
Updated: 12:54 p.m. ET April 22, 2005LAS VEGAS - The woman who claimed she found a finger in her bowl of Wendys chili last month has been arrested, the latest twist in a bizarre case about how the 1 1/2-inch finger tip ended up in a bowl of fast food.
Anna Ayala was taken into custody late Thursday at her Las Vegas home. She was arrested on a warrant alleging grand larceny and attempted grand larceny, Las Vegas Police Sgt. Chris Jones said.
Authorities said would not provide further details until a news conference Friday afternoon in San Jose, Calif. the city where Ayala claimed she bit down on the finger in a mouthful of her steamy stew.
Ayalas 18-year-old son, Guadalupe Reyes, said he had gone to the store around 9 p.m. when he got a phone call from a friend who was back at the Las Vegas home.
We rushed back and she was already gone, Reyes said.
Reyes said he had no other details and was waiting to hear from his mother. A handwritten sign on the door of her home Friday morning instructed reporters not to knock, and telephone messages were not returned.
Ayala, 39, was held overnight at the Clark County jail in Las Vegas, where records showed she was being held without bail.
In Ohio, Wendys officials praised the polices actions. Were thrilled that an arrest has been made, Tom Mueller, president and chief operating officer of Wendys North America, said in a statement.
Mysterious case
Ayalas claim that she found the fingertip, complete with a well-manicured nail, on March 22 initially drew sympathy. But when police and health officials failed to find any missing digits among the workers involved in the restaurants supply chain, suspicion fell on Ayala, and her story has become a late-night punch line.
Ayala hired a lawyer and filed a claim against the Wendys franchise owner, Fresno-based JEM Management. But after police searched her home in Las Vegas and continued to question her family, she dropped the lawsuit threat, saying the whole situation was just too stressful.
As it turns out, Ayala has a litigious history. She has filed claims against several corporations, including a former employer and General Motors, though it is unclear from court records whether she received any money. She said she got $30,000 from El Pollo Loco after her 13-year-old daughter got sick at one of the chains Las Vegas-area restaurants. But El Pollo Loco spokeswoman Julie Weeks said last week that the company reviewed Ayalas February 2004 claim and paid her nothing.
Wendy's doesn't find a link
Earlier Thursday, Wendys International Inc. announced it had ended its internal investigation, saying it could find no credible link between the finger and the restaurant chain.
Sales have dropped at franchises in Northern California, forcing layoffs and reduced hours, the company said. Wendys also has hired private investigators, set up a hot line for tips and offered a $100,000 reward for anyone who provides information leading to the fingers original owner.
