YouTube video leads to arrests

Published: March. 18, 2008 at 5:26 PM

RIALTO, Calif., March 18 (UPI) -- Police in Rialto, Calif., have arrested three men who appeared in a YouTube video that showed viewers how to "scam" free food from a fast-food restaurant.

Robert Echeverria, 32, Ian Anthony Roman, 18, and Brian Fawcett, 18, were charged with felony second-degree commercial burglary after they videotaped themselves lying to employees at a Rialto Del Taco to get free food in a YouTube video entitled "How to Scam Del Taco," the Riverside (Calif.) Press-Enterprise reported Tuesday.

Police said the video depicts Echeverria calling the fast-food restaurant and claiming to be a local business leader whose previous order was filled incorrectly. He convinced the manager to give him seven tacos, a large order of fries, two sodas and two quesadillas with extra chicken -- a $15 haul. Authorities said Roman picked the food up under the guise of being the fictional businessman's son.

The suspects, who police identified as gang members, could each face seven years in prison if convicted.

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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