White County Man Charged with Shooting Fireworks at Chicken Mascot

JULY 28, 2006 - Posted at 3:24 p.m. CDT

SEARCY, AR - Searcy police have arrested a Judsonia man, alleging he shot bottle rockets at a man who was wearing a chicken costume to promote a local fast food restaurant.

Joseph R. Craig, 20, was arrested Wednesday and charged with assault in the second degree and with discharging fireworks in the city limits.  Police say Craig shot bottle rockets at Steven Turnage, who wears the suit to attract business to the restaurant.

Turnage said that, in the first two weeks he wore the chicken suit, people threw smokeless tobacco cans at him and tossed frozen drinks.  After a bottle rocket attack, however, he called police.

Turnage said he was grateful that police had made an arrest in the case.

Turnage said: "I'd like for this guy to have to wear the chicken suit for a day out in this heat to see what its like."

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)