Officer issues PSA to DoorDash, Uber Eats customers after driver did something dangerous: ‘Make sure you’re paying attention’
There’s a decent amount of trust that goes into ordering food delivery.
While many major food chains have now instituted tamper-proof packaging, you’re still trusting a stranger to quickly deliver your items without messing with them.
Occasionally, incidents do occur. For example, one customer claimed that a food delivery driver forcibly hugged her and tried to follow her to her room. Another shared a story about how tracking their order showed that their driver left the state during the delivery.
Now, a police officer is issuing a warning about something else that can go wrong during food delivery. Here’s what you need to look out for.
What Did This Food Delivery Driver Do To This Order?
In a video with over 417,000 views, TikTok user Officer Smith (@policehelpfultips) issues a warning for those who order food delivery.
“The lady up here in this photo, she delivers the person’s food on their porch,” Smith says, showing an image of a woman. “Then, you see her take [out] what appears to be pepper spray.”
While Smith says that “nobody’s really sure” what the spray was, the delivery driver sprayed the top of the bag with it.
“From what I understand, these people gave no indication or no reason for her to do this,” the officer stated. He further claimed that the delivery service had been contacted by police, as the customers who placed the order got sick from the spray.
“I would advise you that if you order from Doordash or Uber Eats or any food service like that, if they’re laying on your porch and then walking away, make sure you’re paying attention before you just go out there and grab the food,” Smith states.
Did This Really Happen?
Unbelievably, Smith is telling the truth.
According to WSAZ 3, the incident involved a DoorDash driver dropping off an order from Arby’s. The order was delivered just past midnight on Sunday, December 7th.
“I noticed my wife had started eating and she started choking and gasping, and after she had a couple of bites of her food, she actually threw up,” explained customer Mark Cardin.
After looking at the bag, Cardin confirmed via his doorbell camera that the driver tampered with it.
“It’s horrific,” Cardin added, noting that he did tip the driver. “We assume it’s pepper spray. That’s more than likely what it is, but now in this day and age, it could’ve been anything. It could’ve been rat poison, it could’ve been fentanyl. I mean, my wife could’ve been dead.”
DoorDash has since refunded the customer’s money. Law enforcement has also been contacted. The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office says that the delivery driver could potentially face felony charges.
Was It Really Pepper Spray?
The contents of the spray have not been confirmed. Pepper spray tends to have a pronounced scent. If Cardin was unable to detect such a scent on the bag, it’s possible that pepper spray was not used. The spray could have instead been a different kind of less-lethal weapon, or something as innocent as an antibacterial spray.
No matter what it was, Cardin says it’s heavily impacted his life. He stated in a Facebook video that it either caused or exasperated respiratory problems, resulting in him taking several days off work.
For their part, DoorDash told the New York Post that “We have zero tolerance for this type of appalling behavior. The Dasher in question has been permanently removed from the platform, and our team is standing by to support law enforcement with any investigation.”
@policehelpfultips UBER EATS AND DOOR DASH DANGER #everyone #ubereats #deliverydriver #danger #FYP ♬ original sound – Police helpful tips
@ghostpants8012 DoorDash or sprays my food with pepper spray DoorDash doesn’t seem to care. They only refunded my money contacted the sheriffs office and the local news linked to local news video in comments. #doordashpepperspray#doordash #doorbellcamera #foodtampering #poison ♬ original sound – @GhostPants
Commenters Are Appalled
In the comments section, users expressed their shock at the situation. They also offered their thoughts on how the food delivery process could be improved.
“They should ban tipping food delivery because it gives them motive to do something to your food. If they’re not expecting a tip then no motive to be mad,” stated a user.
“Bad tip is not a reason to do this,” offered another. “Safer to get your own food.”
“Even tho everything got super convenient ,I still go get my own food and I hardly order out,” wrote a third. “It’s always been a fear of mine for something like this to happen. I like old ways.”
The Mary Sue reached out to DoorDash via email, the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office via email, Smith via TikTok DM, and Cardin via Instagram and TikTok DM.
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