Florida Man's Subway^® Sandwich Freakout Ends in Arrest

A sandwich mishap at a Florida Subway^® escalated into an unexpected altercation that landed one man in jail. This bizarre story highlights how a seemingly minor issue — an unsliced sub — can spiral out of control and lead to serious consequences.

The Sandwich Fiasco

It started as a typical day at a Subway in Stuart, Florida. Alberto De Barros, a 54-year-old customer, visited the restaurant on Jan. 9, 2024 expecting his meal to be prepared as he liked. However, upon discovering that his sandwich was not cut in half, De Barros became visibly upset. The situation quickly escalated, with De Barros arguing with Subway employee Cassandra Pierre-Louis over the issue.

The Heated Confrontation

According to the arrest report, the disagreement intensified when De Barros began causing a disruptive scene inside the restaurant. Despite the worker's attempts to diffuse the situation by refusing further service, De Barros did not back down. Instead, he made a phone call — purportedly to the store's manager — while continuing to express his displeasure. During the call, he reportedly threw the unsliced sandwich at Pierre-Louis, striking her in the mid to lower body.

The Aftermath

After the incident, De Barros left the store, but not before Pierre-Louis managed to capture his license plate number on video. Law enforcement officials later reviewed surveillance footage, which confirmed that De Barros had indeed thrown the sandwich at the worker. This footage played a crucial role in his subsequent arrest on charges of battery, a misdemeanor offense. He was released after posting a $1,000 bond. The court appearance marked the beginning of a legal process that could lead to potential penalties, including fines or even jail time, depending on the judge's ruling.

The Legal Implications

While the idea of being arrested over a sandwich may seem trivial, battery charges are no laughing matter. Under Florida law, battery is defined as intentionally striking or touching another person against their will. De Barros' actions met this criteria, leading to his arrest. This case serves as a reminder that even minor altercations can have significant legal repercussions if they escalate to physical confrontations.

The fact that this simple sandwich mishap resulted in battery charges illustrates the importance of managing anger and reacting appropriately to minor inconveniences. As the old saying goes, cooler heads prevail — even when it comes to your sandwich preferences.

References: Cops: Guy Got Really Upset by Unsliced Subway Sandwich | Customer upset with Subway order charged with battery after striking worker with sandwich