It's a McMelee at McDonald's

A 72-year-old Yuba City man grabbed a baseball bat and attacked a McDonald's employee who insulted his wife, police said Tuesday.

John William Myatt, of the 500 block of Tharp Road, was arrested on suspicion of assault about 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Yuba City McDonald's in the 800 block of Colusa Avenue.

The incident began when Myatt asked for an extra cup of water from Stephen Foster, 21, who was working behind the counter. Myatt's 66-year-old wife heard Foster mutter something about "an old man," said Yuba City police spokeswoman Shawna Pavey.

After finishing their dinner, the couple was in the parking lot when Foster came outside for a break. Myatt's wife approached Foster and told him he'd been very rude, said Pavey.

Foster allegedly responded with an insulting, two-word expletive.

Myatt then got out of his car and began swinging the bat. A witness reported Myatt landed a blow before Foster grabbed the bat, she said.

A report did not indicate whether Foster was injured.

Myatt was booked into the Sutter County Jail, where a booking sheet listed the charge against him as causing great bodily injury with a deadly weapon. Bail was set at $20,000.

Myatt was no longer being held Tuesday. He is scheduled to be arraigned July 7 in Sutter County Superior Court.

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Rob Young at 749-4710 or at ryoung@appealdemocrat.com.