He wanted a cheaper chicken dinner. Police say he lied about being a cop to get it.
A 5
9-year-old Texas man faces jail time after allegedly flashing a fake police badge at a Chick-fil-A drive-thru.
Trust is hard to build but easy to lose, especially when people use a badge they did not earn just to save a few dollars.
WHAT HAPPENED
On June 23, 2026, Eric Michael Rodriguez drove up to a Chick-fil-A in Texas. Police say the 59-year-old asked for a discount meant for law enforcement.
The worker asked for his ID. When Rodriguez did not show it, the restaurant refused to give him the discount.
Police say Rodriguez got angry and caused a scene. Officers arrived and arrested him for pretending to be a cop.
What the money/evidence shows
- Eric Michael Rodriguez is 59 years old.
- He was arrested on June 23, 2026, at a Texas Chick-fil-A.
- He was released on a $2,000 bond on June 24, 2026.
- He faces up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
- The charge is a Class B misdemeanor.
THE BIGGER QUESTION
Why do we care so much about small discounts? For many, police and military discounts are a sign of respect, but some people feel tempted to cheat the system when times are tight.
This case makes us ask if fast-food workers should have to act like security guards just to protect a small corporate discount.
THE OTHER SIDE
Rodriguez denies that he did anything wrong. He says he only showed his veteran card, not a fake police badge, and says the workers were rude to him. He also told police that no crime happened and they were wasting their time.
Right now, this defense is hard to prove without seeing the security tapes or hearing from witnesses at the window.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW
Rodriguez must wait for his day in court. This event shows how small lies can lead to big criminal charges that affect your life.
Fast-food spots may also change how they check ID to keep their workers safe from angry customers.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
Did the drive-thru camera record the whole event?
- What did Rodriguez's veteran card actually look like?
- Will Chick-fil-A change its discount policy because of this?
SOURCE NOTE
Based on reporting by MyRGV and local police records. All charges are allegations - Eric Michael Rodriguez is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Transparency notes
Published: Jun 28, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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Sources
External source links were not provided in this article body. Our editors reference publicly available materials and update stories as new verified information arrives.