Man accused of coughing on women at restaurant

Patron faces charges of threatening, assault

PLYMOUTH, Mass. – Police arrested a 59-year-old man on charges of threatening and assault after a disturbance over wearing a face mask at a restaurant.

Edward McGuire turned himself in to police Tuesday, the day after the incident. McGuire is accused of coughing in the faces of two female customers at the restaurant and saying he hoped they got COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. He also is accused of driving dangerously in the restaurant parking lot, threatening the safety of people dining outdoors.

The incident occurred the night of June 29 after employees of the restaurant asked McGuire to wear a face mask.

McGuire had been walking in and out of the restaurant, and workers asked him to wear a mask if he continued to do so.

Workers told police McGuire started yelling and screaming at the employees and went up to two women and coughed on them, saying he hoped they got sick. He allegedly got in his vehicle and drove in a circle around the parking lot, scaring outdoor diners.

At least one person recorded some of the incident on a cellphone and posted it on social media.

The manager of the restaurant called police to report the incident Tuesday morning. McGuire turned himself in at noon the same day. He was charged with two counts each of assault, threatening to commit a crime (murder) and threatening to bomb or hijack and single counts of negligent driving and disturbing the peace as a subsequent offense.

Police Capt. Kevin Manuel said the charges of threatening to bomb or hijack are for coughing on the women as the law relates to the use of substances capable of causing injury or death. Manuel said police have no knowledge that McGuire has the virus. McGuire was released on bail Tuesday.