Story Archive

There’s an App For That

Employees at a Pizza Hut in Avon Park, Fla., received an online order from a regular customer, but the special instructions were unusual. “I’ve been here 28 years and never, never seen nothing like that come through,” said manager Candy Hamilton. The message asked the store to call 911, because the customer was being held hostage. Deputies responded to the address, where they were greeted by Cheryl Treadway. She said her children were there, as well as her boyfriend, Ethan Nickerson. According to the police, Nickerson had forced Treadway to pick up her children and come back to the home, where he threatened them with a knife. Treadway convinced Nickerson to let her order a pizza using her cell phone, and Treadway used the opportunity to send the message. Nickerson was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a weapon without intent to kill, battery, false imprisonment, and obstructing justice by depriving communication to law enforcement. “I don’t know if I ever would have thought of it,” a deputy said. “I mean it’s just something that she did so naturally. The boyfriend never knew about it until he saw us coming around the corner.” (MS/WFLA Tampa) ...So did the pizza arrive within 30 minutes, or not?