A man left a 13-foot snake in the middle of the floor at Iroha Sushi of Tokyo restaurant in Los Angeles’ Studio City neighborhood, because he was upset with the management, according to authorities.
Hiroshi Motohashi, 46, ate and paid for $200 worth of food, but immediately sparked attention once diners noticed he was accompanied by a very small snake.
Restaurant managers asked him to leave after showing off the snake to customers, KCBS-TV reported.
Motohashi got upset and left the restaurant. Shortly after, however, he came back with a larger snake while yelling obscenities. The snake owner said, “[Expletive], you guys,” and then placed the snake down on the floor, waitresses claimed.
“Get this thing out! You know, everyone’s like eating, so customers are yelling, ‘Get this thing out! Are you crazy,’ ” waitress Jessie Davaadorj told KCBS-TV.
Terrified customers ran out.
The yellow python tried to slither away, but got stuck near a cash register.
The Los Angeles Fire Department and Los Angeles Animal Services went to the restaurant, freed it and took the snake away.
Diners were startled by the Sunday evening incident, but no one was hurt.
According to The Los Angeles Times, Animal Services is caring for both snakes at its East Valley facility in Van Nuys. Motohashi must show proof of ownership—including the proper permits—to get his snakes back, Cmdr. Mark Salazar of the Animal Services Department said.
Police also arrested the man for criminal threats, which is a felony, police spokesman Aareon Jefferson said.
The suspect’s bail was set at $50,000 dollars.
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