BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A late-night craving for warmth, not food, turned into a criminal case after a Beckley man repeatedly trespassed at Sonic Drive-In and allegedly threatened to burn the place down.
On April 11, 2025, police were dispatched to the Sonic Drive-In on Harper Road following multiple calls about an unwanted individual causing a disturbance. Employees reported that a man, later identified as Ronnie Dean, had been loitering in the restaurant’s lobby, sleeping, and bouncing back and forth between Sonic and the nearby Pizza Hut.
Although officers couldn’t locate Dean during the first call, a second call came in just two hours later reporting that the man had returned—this time allegedly threatening staff and making a chilling statement: “F** this place, I’m going to burn it down.”*
Upon arrival, officers spotted Dean emerging from behind Pizza Hut, visibly agitated. When questioned, Dean denied making threats and claimed he only entered Sonic to warm up. He also denied returning to the location multiple times, despite evidence and eyewitness testimony to the contrary.
Officers spoke with Sonic employees , who confirmed that Dean had been told to leave on several occasions. They also stated that after cursing at them, Dean made the explicit threat to burn down the restaurant. The confrontation—and the threats—were captured on the officer’s body-worn camera.
Due to the repeated trespassing and threats of arson, a criminal complaint for terroristic threats is being filed against Dean.
