Harrison police: Natrona man assaulted man, woman in Burger King drive-thru

A Harrison man was arrested Saturday after attacking a man and a woman as they all drove through the Burger King drive-thru, according to police.

Harrison Sgt. Michael Ropelewski said police were called to the incident at the Burger King on Freeport Road around 6 p.m. for a report of two men fighting in the parking lot.

Once police arrived they determined Edward McNeel, 49, of the Natrona section of Harrison, had been riding in a car with three people when an argument began.

Ropelewski said McNeel is accused of pulling on a man’s seat belt in an attempt to choke him and pushing his thumbs into his eyes.

When a woman tried to intervene to stop the fighting, he punched her in the face, according to police.

The man who had been choked then got out of the car and pulled McNeel out of the car and onto the ground, the sergeant said. That’s when officers arrived.

“Two of our officers happened to be not even a minute way,” Ropelewski said.

McNeel is charged with two counts each of simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct.

The woman was treated for eye pain at the scene. The man who had been choked refused treatment, but had cuts to his face, Ropelewski said.

McNeel’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 24 in front of District Judge Carolyn Bengel.