A “Fire in the Hole!” prank that seemed harmless to a Morganton man ended with his arrest for two misdemeanor charges.
Originating from the early 2000s, the prank refers to an online trend of yelling “Fire in the Hole!” before throwing a beverage through a service window and speeding away. The prank is typically filmed and posted to social media.
The trend has spread throughout the internet from YouTube videos and other social media platforms and articles of the prank gone wrong. The prank also made an appearance on “The Office” (Season 9, Episode 12) when the character Dwight Schrute yelled the phrase and threw a milkshake into a fast-food drive-thru window.
The main victim asked not to be named and declined comment for fear of retribution.
Around 2:14 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, the driver of a gold 1999 Chevrolet C/K 1500 ordered a $4.75 milkshake through the Chick-fil-A drive-thru, located at 1006 Burkemont Ave.
The driver James Tucker Eades, 32, of 232 Falls St., Unit E, in Morganton, proceeded to the drive-thru window.
Once Eades was handed the milkshake, he threw it back at two employees for a “Fire in the Hole!” prank and attempted to drive away without paying. However, he was stuck in the drive-thru and the employees took a picture of his license plate.
A person involved in the incident said they believe the prank was filmed and posted online but have not found the video. It is suspected that a person was sitting in the backseat of the truck.
Morganton Public Safety was contacted and a warrant for his arrest was issued.
Around 11:33 p.m. that night, officers arrived at Eades's apartment and took him into custody. He was charged with the following misdemeanors:
• Simple assault & assault/battery
• Larceny of property — Receiving or possessing stolen goods
Eades told officers that “it was a prank,” Capt. Josiah Brown said.
He was turned over to Burke County Jail staff and held under a $5,000 secured bond.
Eades is scheduled to appear in the Burke County Courthouse for District Court on Oct. 7. He is also banned from the Chick-fil-A in Morganton.
Saydie Bean is a general assignment reporter for The Paper. She may be reached at 828-445-8595, ext. 2011, or saydie@thepaper.media.
Saydie Bean is a municipal and courts reporter for The Paper. She may be reached at 828-445-8595, ext. 2011, or saydie@thepaper.media.
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