Son driven to 'drive-thru' rage

The mother of a 20-year-old Springfield man accused of stealing a car and going “ballistic” at a McDonald’s, says her son was fueled on drugs and acting out of character during an incident she hopes can be resolved outside of the court system.

Steven Trent, 112 Fairground Lane, was arrested early Jan. 22 and lodged at the Marion County Detention Center in Lebanon. He’s charged with auto theft and criminal mischief after police say he stole a vehicle, then terrorized a local fast food restaurant, nearly shattering a window and damaging equipment while crews tried to serve breakfast. 

Jail officials said Trent was temporarily released Monday under a judge’s order. 

His mother, Janet Trent, told The Springfield Sun he is receiving treatment at a Radcliff health care facility. 

“He’s got a real bad nerve disorder,” said Janet. “Usually, he’s the type of person who would stop and change the tire on your car, if you needed.”

Springfield Police were initially dispatched to 139 Armory Hill about 4:50 a.m. Jan 22, after they received calls from Trent’s mother who claimed he had stolen a friend’s 2000 Pontiac Grand Am and was possibly headed to Lexington. About an hour later, the man was arrested at the Springfield McDonald’s. 

At least two witnesses said that Trent entered the restaurant and complained about food he received the previous day.  

When they referred him to the manager, witnesses say Trent began destroying equipment, knocking over trash cans and displays and breaking a drink dispenser with his fist. 

Trent also reportedly punched out a plate-glass window before fleeing the store. 

He was arrested a short time late at another location, according to reports from Springfield Police.

A manager at the McDonald’s on Monday said no one was injured. Only about three customers were in the store at the time of the incident, she said, in addition to a few crew members. 

Equipment at the restaurant appeared to be in working order on Monday afternoon, however, one of the store’s windows was severely cracked and patched together by tape. 

The store’s manager couldn’t estimate damages and said she wasn’t authorized to release details. 

Janet told The Springfield Sun that prior to last week’s incident, her son was taken to an area near Willisburg by a friend and fed drugs. 

“We hold that person totally responsible,” she said. “He wasn’t on his medication and the drugs worked against him. It was just a bad thing to happen. If this person hadn’t done that, it would’ve never happened.”

Janet said the family had already paid restitution for the stolen vehicle. The family also plans to pay for any damages at McDonald’s, she said. 

Charges could likely be dismissed once restitution is paid, she said.  

“[My son] is a very special person, but when he’s around certain people they can talk him into anything,” she said.