A man, aged 32, was apprehended following an alarming incident in which boxes filled with live mice were released in several McDonald’s branches throughout Birmingham. The event, which took place on Wednesday night, was a conspicuous act of protest, as noted by the West Midlands Police.
The phenomenon caused a stir online, with various social media platforms hosting videos that captured the live rodents being liberated into the fast-food establishments across Star City, Perry Barr and Small Heath.
The authorities are currently in pursuit of a second suspect – a 30-year-old man named Billal Hussain – in relation to the unsettling incidents. Several search warrants have already been executed in an attempt to apprehend him. Law enforcement considers Mr. Hussain to be involved in the incidents that have been widely condemned as disturbing and unacceptable.
In one of the released clips, the public bore witness to a peculiar sight – mice dyed in the colours of the Palestinian flag were let loose in the Star City restaurant. On the following day, another video circulated, this time featuring a box filled with mice at the Perry Barr outlet.
Given the public agitation caused, police have classified these events as public nuisance offences.
Understandably, both McDonald’s branches involved in the incidents were shut down temporarily. A thorough cleaning ensued, followed by visits from pest control personnel, as relayed by a McDonald’s representative.
More recently, a video suggesting the occurrence of a third incident surfaced on social media this Wednesday. In the video, a band of people wearing masks seemingly unleash a group of mice within a Small Heath McDonald’s. West Midlands Police are currently investigating whether there is any connection between this incident and the preceding ones.
