Crime & Safety

"I Can't Wait to Kill You!" Man Allegedly Yells to Franco Owners

Wornell Elmo Clayburn faces multiple charges of terroristic threats.

A 41-year-old Phoenixville man was charged last week after he allegedly terrorized the owners, staff, and patrons of in a bizarre late-July incident.

Wornell Elmo Clayburn faces charges of two counts of terroristic threats, stalking, harassment, and disorderly conduct. It’s unclear what, if any, his relationship to restaurant is.

According to court documents, on July 25 at 9:30 p.m., a Phoenixville police officer responded to the Bridge Street restaurant following a report of terroristic threats. The owners of the restaurant, a husband and wife, said that a suspect later identified as Clayburn had created three separate disturbances at their restaurant.

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Allegedly, that afternoon Clayburn had parked his car on Bridge Street, blocking the eastbound lane of traffic, and proceeded to storm into the restaurant and shout at the male owner, slamming his fists on the table where he sat. Clayburn then left, but later that day followed the owner’s daughter in his car before shouting obscenities at her in the area of Gay Street and Church Street.

Clayburn then doubled back to the restaurant, holding up traffic, again, on Bridge Street, and launched a profanity laced tirade at the owners. The restaurant's employees were reportedly so shaken by the man’s behavior that they retreated into the building. Clayburn, at this point, walked up to the restaurant, pressed his face and hands against the window, and peered inside.

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Before he pulled away, he shouted “You’re all going to die! I can’t wait to kill you!”

On August 3, the officer who initially responded was patrolling the area in a marked car when the owner’s wife flagged him down. She said Clayburn had returned and was pulling out of the lot in a Dodge Neon. The officer found him, pulled him over, and took his information.

Later that day, the woman was presented a photo-lineup comprised of a picture of Clayburn and several similar looking men. She positively identified the defendant.

Clayburn was arraigned on August 28. Unable to post bail, he is awaiting his September 6 preliminary hearing in Chester County Prison.


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