Prankster Tries To Convince Another Restaurant To Activate Fire-Suppression System
ELK GROVE (CBS13) - Another restaurant has been targeted in what authorities are calling a dangerous prank that forced two businesses to temporarily close their doors on Monday.
It's the fourth restaurant in 24 hours hit with a phone prank that led to a big mess for restaurants whose workers thought they were following safety orders.
Someone is calling the restaurants, identifying themselves as an alarm company representative and telling workers they need to test their fire-suppression systems, according to the Cosumnes Fire Department. The caller reassures the workers that the systems are in test mode and won't go off, but that's not true.
Workers were turned away from Five Guys restaurant on Laguna Springs Drive in Elk Grove Tuesday morning after the restaurant was closed to deal with the mess. A Wendy's restaurant on Bond Road also fell for the prank. The caller also contacted Panera on Bond Road, but in that case, the manager knew something was up and alerted police. When officers arrived, they were able to talk to the caller but weren't able to determine his identity.
Just before noon today, Mimi's Café on West Stockton Road also fell for the prank – sort of.
"They asked me if I could pull the one in the kitchen I said 'no,' knowing that releases all the fire extinguisher stuff," said Mimi's Café Manager Karen Segur-Allen.
The man who called Mimi's Café said he was from the fire department and knew the system terminology. The manager didn't activate the suppression system but pulled the fire alarm.
"I absolutely did believe it. I actually pulled the alarm in the back of the house. He asked me if I had another pool system in the back. I said 'I do,'" said Segur-Allen.
The fire department had to come to the restaurant to deactivate the alarm.
Last April, in a similar prank, calls were made to fast food restaurants in several states asking employees to smash windows in order to vent for a gas emergency.
"It's very serious, and, like I said, those businesses will be closed 'til tomorrow, until they get their systems regenerated and also the inspector called," said Consumnes Fire Department Battalion Chief Paul Zehnder.