A Laguna Vista, Texas, man faces a criminal charge after investigators alleged he posed as an off-duty police officer while trying to receive a discount at a Chick-fil-A restaurant in McAllen. According to a probable cause affidavit first reported by MyRGV, the encounter escalated after employees declined his request.
According to the probable cause affidavit obtained by MyRGV, the incident began on March 4, 2026, when the general manager of a Chick-fil-A in McAllen contacted police to report that a customer, later identified as 59-year-old Eric Michael Rodriquez, in a white Jeep Wrangler, caused a disturbance in the drive-thru involving two employees.
The manager told investigators that the customer identified himself as an off-duty peace officer and requested a law enforcement discount. According to the affidavit, the customer allegedly displayed a badge to an employee. The request was denied because of the restaurant’s policy, and the customer became upset.
Cops reportedly tracked Rodriquez through his license plate
McAllen police later reviewed surveillance video and identified the Jeep through its license plate, according to the affidavit. Investigators determined the vehicle belonged to Rodriquez, who lives in Laguna Vista.
The affidavit states that Laguna Vista police later assisted McAllen detectives in contacting Rodriquez. He reportedly told officers that Chick-fil-A employees had been rude to him.
Investigators also interviewed the restaurant’s general manager, who said he stepped in after Rodriquez allegedly accused an employee of being racist because he was a “Hispanic” and “Mexican” police officer. According to the affidavit, Rodriquez also allegedly said the employee was the only “white guy” working at the location.
The employee whom Rodriquez accused of discrimination told investigators that he said he was “on duty just out of uniform.” After the employee apologized and denied the request, Rodriquez allegedly accused him of targeting him because he was a “Latino cop,” according to the affidavit.
Another employee told detectives that Rodriquez showed him a black leather wallet containing a silver star-shaped badge while requesting the discount, according to the affidavit. The employee said he consulted his manager about the restaurant’s policy.
Reports say Rodriquez denied he committed a crime
When detectives later spoke with Rodriquez by phone, the affidavit states that he denied possessing or displaying a badge and said he was not an officer. He reportedly told investigators he had shown employees only his veteran identification card. The affidavit also states that Rodriquez declined to provide a formal statement at the McAllen Police Department. He reportedly said that “no crime was committed” and that police resources were being wasted.
According to reports, police arrested Rodriquez on Tuesday, June 23, 20 and charged him with false identification as a police officer, MyRGV reported, citing court records.
The outlet reported that a magistrate set his bond at $2,000, which Rodriquez posted the following day. As of June 26, no public court records indicate he has entered a plea.
Chick-fil-A does not maintain a companywide law enforcement discount policy. Because most restaurants operate as independently owned franchises, individual operators decide whether to offer discounts to police officers, military members, or first responders. Some locations offer them, while others do not.
Published: Jun 26, 2026 03:03 pm