Hooter’s manager helped deputies tackle customer who got mad about being cut off

A Hooter’s manager helped deputies tackle a customer after he threatened to kill the employee who cut him off and then slapped one of the deputies called to the scene.

Ashton B. Toney, 23, of Valrico, was arrested on Aug. 13 and charged with two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence after deputies responded to reports of an unruly customer who management wanted to issue a trespass order against.

Toney, who deputies say is six foot, three inches tall and weighs 250 pounds, got mad and threatened to kill a Hooter’s employee after the employee refused to serve him any more alcohol and told him to leave.

Surveillance video footage shows deputies inside the restaurant talking to employees and manager James Nolte, when Toney walked back inside. After slapping one of the deputy’s hand, Toney began to violently resist both deputies in their attempt to arrest him.

Nolte jumped in and helped tackle Toney onto the floor so deputies could restrain him.

The sheriff’s office was “thankful for Mr. Nolte's assistance and willingness to get involved. His actions as well as the actions of the two deputies resulted in bringing Toney under control with no one being injured,” the department said in an issued statement.

Toney was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail without any more resistance.

This story was originally published August 23, 2017 at 4:01 PM with the headline "Hooter’s manager helped deputies tackle customer who got mad about being cut off."